Cham Village of Chau Phong preserves brocade weaving profession
WVR - Although the brocade weaving profession of the Cham people in Chau Phong commune (Tan Chau town, An Giang province) is no longer flourishing, it is still well preserved and promoted by those who care about traditional values.
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In recent years, An Giang province has implemented synchronously and effectively ethnic programs and policies associated with the implementation of the National Target Programme on building new-style rural areas. Consequently, the lives of Cham ethnic people have gradually overcome difficulties, become legitimately rich, and contributed to the prosperous development of Cham hamlets and villages.
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| Traditional brocade weaving artisan in Chau Giang hamlet, Chau Phong commune, Tan Chau town, An Giang province. (Photo: Phuong Nghi) |
| Cham people in Chau Phong commune (Tan Chau town, An Giang province) live concentrated in 3 hamlets of Phum Xoai, Chau Giang and Hoa Long with over 4.5000 people and 100% of the people follow Islam. |
Coming to Cham Chau Phong villages today, it is easy to recognize that various new projects have sprung up, the whole commune seems to be wearing a new shirt. Along the Cham ethnic villages, spacious houses were newly built and the roads were concreted, creating favorable conditions for trading goods and daily activities. The implementation of the State’s programs, projects, and ethnic policies, especially the implementation of the National Target Programs on building new-style rural areas has created a “resilience”, changing each Cham village in Chau Phong clearly.
Sharing with reporters, head of Phum Xoai hamlet (Chau Phong commune) Mohamah Sa Leh said: “Nowadays, there are no poor households in Cham Phum Xoai village and 100% of children can go to school, from kindergartens to high schools. In particular, at the university level, Phum Xoai alone has 44 students, some of whom are studying for master’s degrees.
People now are not only well fed, living in easy circumstances, but have also invested in knowledge for the young generation to escape poverty and achieve long-term, sustainable development. All these factors have created a new look for the model Cham village community here”.
For the Cham people in Tan Chau town, brocade weaving is a long-standing traditional profession, playing a crucial role in preserving the unique cultural beauty. The Cham people brought their ethnic weaving profession to the land of Tan Chau to live and they considered the profession as precious belongings.
Mr. Mohamach Sa Leh further added: “Previously, brocade weaving products, including sarongs, scarves, shirts, and traditional handicrafts mainly served the Cham community, but now they have become commodity products, serving tourism service, popular with tourists”.
Despite not being as prosperous as in previous years, the brocade weaving profession of the Cham people in Chau Phong commune is still preserved and promoted by those who are passionate about traditional values. Typically, Mr. Mohamad in Phum Xoai hamlet, owner of Mohamach brocade weaving facility, has nearly 50 years of being engaged with the brocade weaving profession and bringing traditional brocade weaving products of the Cham people far beyond.
Mr. Mohamad said: “My family has been attached to the brocade weaving profession for 3 generations. A woven brocade product must go through different stages. The cotton fibers must be dyed, then dried, followed by the stage of bobbin, threading, weaving, and finishing the product. Each stage requires the craftsmen’s ingenuity and meticulousness. Besides, it takes a lot of time and effort to make quality products”.
Currently, due to modern technology, brocade production is more convenient and faster. However, Mr. Mohamad still preserves traditional weaving as a way to maintain the Cham people’s cultural values, even though the production cost of handicraft products is higher than that of those made by machine.
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| Mr. Mohamad in Phum Xoai hamlet (Chau Phong commune, Tan Chau town) introduces Chau Giang brocade weaving products to tourists. (Photo: Phuong Nghi) |
In 2000, Mr. Mohamad established a traditional brocade weaving facility in Cham Chau Phong village, mobilizing craftsmen to complete products locally. Finished products are displayed, sold at the facility and also exported.
Apart from such traditional products as sarongs and scarfs, the facility also makes new products, including handbags, backpacks, hats, and keychains. According to Mr. Mohamad, “these are items that are popular with tourists, especially foreign tourists who choose to buy as souvenirs during each trip to visit craft villages. The prices of these products are quite affordable, from 20,000 to 200,000 VND each product. Moreover, through preserving and developing the brocade weaving profession, the facility also creates jobs for more than 10 locals, with income ranging from 100,000 to 150,000 VND per day.
Chairwoman of Chau Phong Commune People’s Committee Vo Thuy Y Nhu said: “In recent years, the brocade weaving profession of the Cham people in Chau Phong commune has become a familiar destination for tourists all around the world. To increase the experience, Mr. Mohamad restored the wedding room in the traditional style of the Cham people for tourists, especially couples, to take souvenir photos.
In addition, while welcoming tourists, besides introducing products, Mr. Mohamad also introduced the history of the craft villages, typical cultural values, and life of the Cham ethnic community in An Giang province to them. This innovation and creativity has contributed to attracting more and more tourists to the craft village.”
| On March 6, 2023, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued Decision No.480/QD-BVHTTDL on announcing the list of national intangible cultural heritage. Accordingly, the brocade weaving profession of the Cham people in Chau Phong commune, Tan Chau town, An Giang province was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage. This is an honor and pride of the Cham community in An Giang province. |
