Lighting up faith in traditional brocade weaving

8/14/2017 - 11:18:55 AM

(HBO) – To Duong Thi Bin, brocade weaving is not only a job but also a passion. The woman, who comes from Luc hamlet, Yen Nghiep commune, Lac Son district of Hoa Binh province, always wants the brocade weaving will be preserved and developed in her hometown and her love for brocade has lit up faith of young generation in the future of the traditional craft.

The establishment of Luc Nghiep Thanh Limited Company, a local brocade producer, has created jobs for more than 200 women in the commune, showing the vitality of the brocade craft and those who are enthusiastic about traditional cultures.

Since an early age, Bin has been very curious and exciting when observing women in her village sitting in front of the looms and weaving the brocades every day. That motivated her to learn how to weave in the hope of making Muong colourful traditional dresses, pillows or blankets with her own hands.

Over three decades have gone by since then, which is also the time she has worked with brocade. She is now among the most skillful at brocading and also the director of the company.

Duong Thi Bin works ardently in front of the loom.

Bin used to be a member of the communal Women’s Union. In 2008, she and other women at her hamlet received 50 million VND from the employment support fund of the union to build the looms. With a determination to preserve the brocade weaving which was facing threat of oblivion, she decided to open her own brocade company two years later, giving job opportunities for many local women.

At the beginning, her company has been given support by the local industry promotion centre, which has provided 200 local workers with three-month training courses on weaving. Now the company has many skillful weavers, capable of passing their knowledge to others.

As the company’s leader, Bin joined hands with her workers to create numerous brocade products like bags, scarves, skirts and shirts.

Bin said that her great passion for brocade beauty has required her to work to preserve the country’s traditional craft by spreading it among the young generation. Since the company was set up, communal women have stronger attachment to brocade weaving.

In the first days, Bin herself found consumption markets for her brocade products. After joining local fairs and those held in neighbouring provinces, her products have been present in many localities across the country like Thanh Hoa, Phu Tho, Son La and Ho Chi Minh City. Although there has been yet large order, her company still maintains small ones. Old ethnic women sell brocades at rural markets as a way to protect the culture.

Currently, the company has 168 members, however, the number of weaving looms reaches 300 at peak.

Bin and six or seven skillful women opened brocade training courses for the younger generation in the commune. They share weaving experience in their free time to complete their weaving skills. Products made by the company are famous for good quality, diversified designs and reasonable prices, thus gaining trust from customers./.

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