Artisan Nguyen Van Quyen from Dan Vien hamlet, Cao Vien commune, Thanh Oai district in Hanoi, is one of the last few artisans who are masters of the art of making ‘keo quan’ lantern, a traditional hand-made lantern with vivid rotating paper-cut figures on the cover. Despite his old age, Quyen still works steadfastly to preserve the traditional craft.

Quyen said that he learnt about the making ofkeo quanlanterns from his father when he was a little boy. Most of the children in his village in the past could make akeo quanlantern by themselves to play when the Mid-autumn festival came around.

Nowadays, as society has developed and children are provided with a tonne of high-tech toys and online games, simple and traditional handicraft toys like akeo quanlanterns seem to attract less interest.

Looking back on the 1990s,keo quanlanterns were one of the most exciting toys for children during the Mid-autumn festival, recalled a wistful Quyen. However, lanterns made in Dan Vien hamlet are less popular in today’s market.

Thekeo quanlantern in Dan Vien hamlet often have a hexagon shape with its bottom having a rounded shape, they are all made with bamboo. Glossy glass paper is then glued onto the inside rectangles of the frame, and images of people, animals, and landscapes are stuck onto four or five layers on the outside cover of the lanterns to create vivid rotating characters.

The lanterns can rotate thanks to an axle in the middle. When a candle is lit inside the lantern, a convection with a countercurrent of hot air inside the lantern and cool air outside is created to make it move.

A small-sizedkeo quanlantern usually costs from VND 100,000 - 120,000 from a craftsman with around eight working hours.

Quyen said that the making ofkeo quanlanterns helped children exercise patience, carefulness and creativity.

Artisan Nguyen Van Quyen (R) gives instructions to young people on how to make keo quan lantern at a programme hosted by the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology (Photo: Vietnam Pictorial)

Over recent years, Quyen has been invited by the the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology Vietnam Exhibition Centre for Culture and Arts (VECCA) ahead of Mid-autumn festival to give instructions to visitors, particularly children, on how to makekeo quanlanterns.

He has also received invitations from schools to help students play and make traditional toys.

Quyen is currently working with the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology for the compilation of a book on Vietnamese folk games as a way to preserve his village’s traditional craft for younger generations.

In recognition of his contributions, Quyen was recently nominated by the Hanoi City’s Culture and Sports Department to receive the title of ‘Meritorious Artist’.

Quyen said that he hopes to pass down his understanding and knowledge of Vietnamese folklore culture for those who are interested, thus raising their awareness of safeguarding the country’s heritage.

 

Source: NDO

Related Topics


Hoa Binh’s cultural heritage: Muong Gongs, a timeless cultural treasure

Gongs hold a special place in the cultural and spiritual life of the Muong ethnic people in Hoa Binh province. More than musical instruments, they are an indispensable part of community rituals and collective memory, echoing through generations as a spiritual thread linking the past, present, and future.

Preserving, promoting Muong cultural heritage: Upholding Muong culture into contemporary life

Preserving and promoting the cultural values of the Muong ethnic group has become an urgent task in the current context, as many traditional values face the risk of fading away. This effort requires not only protecting the cultural identity but also eliminating outdated customs and developing a modern cultural lifestyle, contributing to sustainable values for the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.

Preserving essence of Muong culture: tradition meets modernity

The Muong ethnic culture, deeply rooted in Vietnam’s mountainous north, continues to be preserved and revitalised by dedicated individuals and communities determined to safeguard their ancestral identity.

Preserving Muong community’s identity – Journey from tradition to modernity: Part 1 – Exploring Muong culture region

The Muong group is one of the largest ethnic minorities in Vietnam, primarily found in Hoa Binh province. The Muong people in Hoa Binh boast a rich and diverse cultural treasure that reflects the unique identity of this ethnic group. Accounting for over 63% of the province's population, they have created and preserved numerous distinctive cultural values, contributing to their unique identity. Their cultural heritage is an invaluable asset, at the heart of their national identity, and represents a vibrant spiritual life that must be preserved and promoted in today’s modern world.

Traditional festivals of Hoa Binh: A rich cultural heritage

For generations, the ethnic communities of Hoa Binh province, particularly the Muong people, have preserved vibrant festivals deeply intertwined with the region’s geography, nature, and social traditions. These celebrations enrich Hoa Binh’s spiritual life and cultural identity, reflecting both folk beliefs and the intermingling of ethnic customs. Many of these festivals have endured the test of time, passed down through generations and continuing to thrive today. Among them, the Khai Ha (Going Down to the Field) festival stands out as one of the most significant events of the Muong ethnic group.

Muong calendar – National intangible cultural heritage

Muong calendar, known as sach doi, is an ancient folk knowledge system developed through observations of the movement of the pleiades star. This unique calendar consists of 12 bamboo sticks, each representing a lunar month. Specific days within each month are marked with distinct symbols, guiding locals in determining auspicious and inauspicious days for important activities.