In the midst of modern life, the brocade weaving profession of the Mong people in Pa Co commune, Phu Tho province is still preserved through the skillful hands of women. The colorful fabrics not only serve daily life but also preserve the national cultural identity through many generations, according to VNA.
From a young age, many Mong girls have been taught by their grandmothers and mothers to spin yarn, weave fabric, embroider, and paint beeswax on linen fabric. For the Mong people, it is not only a traditional craft but also a way to pass on cultural memories.
Born into a family with many generations attached to the weaving profession, Giang Thi Mua was early accustomed to the sound of weaving frames every day. From sitting and watching her mother and grandmother work, Mua gradually learned each step to be able to make traditional costumes for herself.
My mother often weaves fabric, so I learned to do it. After getting married, my mother-in-law continued to teach me the technique of embroidery and beeswax painting on fabric. The traditional craft not only helps increase income but also contributes to preserving the cultural identity of the Mong ethnic group," Mua shared.
To complete a traditional costume, Mong women must go through many meticulous stages. The fig tree after harvest is peeled, dried, shredded and then woven into fabric. Then, the fabric is further softened, washed clean, dried and flattened before decorating with patterns.
In which, the technique of drawing beeswax on linen fabric is considered a unique feature of the traditional Mong weaving craft. The woman uses a small bronze pen dipped in molten beeswax to draw patterns on the white fabric, then dyes it indigo many times. When the wax layer is removed, white patterns appear on a dark blue background. The patterns often mimic nature, mountains and forests and the daily life of the Mong people.
Ms. Sung Y Thanh, Pa Co commune, said that Mong women are almost required to know how to sew and make traditional costumes for themselves, their husbands and children. Therefore, weaving and embroidery are always taught from previous generations to younger generations.
According to Ms. Thanh, many traditional handicrafts are facing the risk of fading away when young people leave the village to study and work in urban areas. However, in Pa Co, brocade weaving is still maintained thanks to the community's awareness of preserving culture and the support from the local women's union.
In addition to cultural value, weaving also brings income to many families. Products such as dresses, bags, scarves, wallets or souvenirs are loved by tourists for their handcrafting and local imprints.
Ms. Hang Y Tenh, Chairwoman of the Women's Union of Pa Co commune, said that Pa Co 1 hamlet and Cha Day hamlet still maintain groups of women weaving brocade to serve community needs and sell to the market.
Many brocade products of Mong women in Pa Co have been introduced to domestic and foreign tourists, connecting consumption in Laos, Thailand and the United States. Thanks to that, many women have stable incomes, averaging 70 - 80 million VND per year," Ms. Tenh said.
