In many villages in the highlands of Son La, the sound of hammer hitting red-hot steel still echoes regularly as a familiar rhythm of life. For the H'Mong people, blacksmithing is not only a livelihood but also a heritage passed down through many generations.
Knives, hoes or sickles are not simply agricultural tools, but also contain techniques, experience and dexterity accumulated over the years.
In Na Vien village, Chieng Mai commune, Mr. Sung A Di's blacksmithing workshop has been maintained for more than two decades. Every day, in the small space next to the house, the stages take place continuously: Some rotate the sieve, some hammer, some grind the tongue.
To create a complete product, the craftsman must go through many steps from selecting steel, cutting billets, firing, shaping to tempering and sharpening. Just a mistake in one stage, the product quality will not meet the requirements.
According to Mr. Di, the secret lies in feeling the temperature through the steel color. If it is too hot, the blade is easily brittle; without fire, the knife is not sharp enough and quickly spoils. Despite the heavy and hot work, he is still attached because he is "familiar with the profession, unwilling to give up". Each month, his family's forge produces hundreds of products, which are consumed both domestically and internationally.
Not only Chieng Mai, in communes such as Ta Xua, Muong Leo or Phieng Cam, many forges are still operating regularly. In Nong Tau Mong village, Mr. Sung A Sua is one of the young people who continues the family profession.
Having worked far away, he returned to his hometown and rebuilt the forge after realizing that the traditional craft in the village was gradually fading away. For him, preserving the craft is also a way to preserve the memories and values of his ancestors.
The main materials are old steel such as car tires, ball bearings, which are fired red and shaped by hand. Then, the knife blade is tempered with water, oil or banana trunks to increase durability. Each finished product takes nearly a day, with the handle and knife shell made of wood or horn, both sturdy and aesthetically pleasing.
Currently, despite being competitive from industrial products, traditional blacksmithing still exists thanks to the persistence of the craftsmen. Local authorities also encourage people to maintain the craft, and at the same time find ways to promote and expand the market, associated with tourism to improve product value.
In the mountains and forests of Son La, forges are still burning every day. The sound of hammers not only creates agricultural tools to serve life but also contributes to preserving cultural identity, so that an ancient craft is not forgotten in the current of modernity.
