Preserving the soul of culture in each brocade piece
In the border area of Sop Cop commune, weaving frames still sound steadily, where Lao ethnic women diligently weave colorful brocade panels, preserving traditional cultural identity.
The costumes of the Lao ethnic people in Muong Va village belong to the Lao Noi lineage, highlighted by colors dyed from natural materials such as indigo, turmeric root, brown root and many other forest plants.
The patterns on brocade are very diverse, from images of dragons, peacocks, tigers, snakes, trees to pagodas and elephant riders, expressing the rich spiritual life and aspirations for a peaceful and prosperous life of the people here.
Ms. Lo Thi Bun Chan, who has been attached to the weaving, embroidery and tailoring of traditional costumes in Muong Va village for many years, said that to complete a costume set, the craftsman must go through many stages, from threading, dyeing, weaving to embroidery and tailoring.
According to Ms. Bun Chan, men's clothing (sửng sửa Lao) consists of short-sleeved shirts and indigo-dyed pants, while women's clothing (sỉn sửa Lao) consists of shirts, tube dresses and characteristic cross-linked scarves.
Everything is handmade, so it requires dexterity and patience. To complete a set of costumes, we usually take about a month," Ms. Bun Chan shared.
The brocade weaving profession has been associated with many generations of Lao ethnic women in Muong Va village. For more than 40 years, Ms. Lo Thi Um has persistently maintained the profession, teaching traditional weaving techniques to the younger generation.
According to Ms. Um, the most important thing to maintain the profession is not only technique but also perseverance and passion. Each needle and thread contains cultural values that have been passed down through many generations.
Transmitting ancient crafts, opening up directions for community tourism development
Not only preserving traditional crafts, Lao ethnic people in Sop Cop commune also proactively innovate brocade products to suit modern life.
Women's clothing is stylized with soft pleats, while men use dark-colored pants instead of traditional indigo-dyed pants.
Young artisans also create more patterns inspired by nature, contributing to enriching the aesthetic value of Lao brocade.
Continuing the family's traditional craft, Ms. Lo Thi Van, Muong Va village, constantly learns and preserves ancient weaving techniques. Currently, her family's brocade products not only serve the needs of the community but are also consumed in many localities at home and abroad.
Today, Lao ethnic people in Sop Cop commune still use traditional costumes during holidays, Tet, festivals and important family events.
Along with that, art troupes regularly bring traditional costumes into performances, contributing to promoting national cultural identity.
Coming to Sop Cop commune for the first time, Ms. Nguyen Mai Anh, a tourist from Hanoi, expressed her impression of the traditional costumes and brocade products of the Lao ethnic people in Muong Va village.
I especially like harmonious colors and sophisticated patterns on each product. Each brocade piece carries a strong cultural imprint of the people here," Ms. Mai Anh shared.
Implementing the Rural Tourism Development Project for the period 2025 - 2030, the locality is promoting the preservation of brocade weaving, expanding vocational training activities and developing products to serve community tourism.
Mr. Nguyen Van Manh, Vice Chairman of Sop Cop Commune People's Committee, said that the locality is encouraging people to develop products such as scarves, handbags, wallets, clothes and souvenirs from traditional brocade, in order to improve economic value and serve community tourism development.
Amidst the modern pace of life, Lao ethnic people in Sop Cop commune still persistently preserve the traditional brocade weaving craft. Colorful brocade panels continue to become a bridge to bring the cultural identity of the border region closer to tourists.
