In the gold season
Along the village roads, the image of bundles of dot trees piled high like mountains in front of the house's porch, bamboo poles, and long rattan ropes stacked waiting to be completed has become familiar. The crackling sound of hammers and the sound of machetes picking dot trees echoed loudly throughout the village, creating a typical labor symphony of Chiem Son land. Although the dot broom making profession takes place all year round, the period from October of the lunar calendar to Tet is always considered the "golden season".
This is the time when market demand increases sharply. Traders from all over the Central provinces such as Quang Ngai, Thua Thien - Hue continuously flock to order in large quantities. Mr. Nguyen Cong Bi, a resident of Duy Xuyen commune, shared: "This year goods are selling very well, I mainly save them for sale to regular customers, but even if strangers come to ask, there are not enough goods to deliver. Compared to last year, goods are somewhat stockpiled, but this year it is expected to be sold out before Tet.
This bustling atmosphere not only brings a stable income for people after a year of hard work but also affirms the strong vitality of a traditional craft village in the face of market fluctuations. Trucks rowing in to transport brooms for consumption everywhere is the clearest proof of consumer confidence in the Chiem Son broom brand.
Keeping the fire of traditional crafts
To make a "standard brand" Chiem Son dot broom, the craftsman must go through many meticulous stages. Dot material is purchased from the high mountains of Da Nang, after being brought back, it will be peeled and bundled into clusters. Next, the craftsman will tie the dot to the handle (bamboo or plastic) and then the stage of pruning, weaving thread and firmly fixing it. Each stage requires the craftsman's dexterity and dedication.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Giao, a long-time artisan, while quickly using tools such as hammers, knives, and scissors, explained: "To have a durable and beautiful broom, we must carefully choose materials from ethnic minority areas, and bamboo staffs must also be ordered separately. Each needle and thread line when braiding must be very tight so that the broom does not fall off when used.
Continuing, Ms. Huynh Thi Nga confided about her attachment to the profession: "This profession is passed down by my parents, I have been doing it since liberation until now. Now I am also old but still want to keep my grandparents' profession".
Currently, a broom produced at the origin costs from 30,000 to 35,000 VND, when it reaches the retail market, it costs about 50,000 VND. It is expected that this Tet season, Chiem Son craft village will bring tens of thousands of products to the market. Cars carrying brooms back and forth not only carry hope for a prosperous Tet for the craft villagers, but also carry a traditional cultural feature, cleanliness and luck to every family throughout the country.
