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| The craft of making do paper in Phong Phu village, Nghi Phong commune (Nghi Loc) has existed for a long time. Previously, every household in the village produced do paper, but now only 5 households still do the craft. This mid-December, when TetLunar New Yearis approaching, work atcraft villageseems to be even busier. Photo: Huy Thu |
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Do paper is made from the bark of the Niết tree, which is collected by local people from the fields, mountains or bought from Dien Chau and Quynh Luu districts. The bark of the Niết tree can be used fresh or dried to make paper all year round. Photo: Huy Thu |
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| After scraping off the black outer layer, the niet bark is continuously boiled for 24 - 36 hours with lime water and pounded on rocks with the ma ca tree trunk. Mr. Vuong Van Tam (60 years old), a resident with more than half a century of experience in the do paper making craft in Hamlet 3, Nghi Phong, said: In the past, the elders chose the ma ca tree as a pestle to pound the niet bark because this tree has tough, durable fibers that do not break during the pounding process. Photo: Huy Thu |
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| Each batch of pounding the bark lasts about 30 minutes, until the bark is as smooth as porridge before it can be used to make paper. Photo: Huy Thu |
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| The crushed niet bark is bleached, put into a basin and mixed with water and the sap of the ivy plant. Depending on the thickness of the paper, the craftsman will mix the niet bark into a liquid or thick mixture. The preparation of raw materials is the most difficult step in the process of making do paper. Photo: Huy Thu |
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| Before Tet, the work of making do paper of the people here becomes busier. Every day, 2 workers (1 person coating, 1 assistant) can also make 100 square sheets of paper with sides of about 0.7 - 0.8m. Photo: Huy Thu |
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| When coating dó paper, the mixture of niết tree bark is scooped and poured onto a mold made of gauze. The paper coater will hold the mold and shake it back and forth to spread the mixture evenly over the mold. Water and the sap of the bìm bìm tree will flow down to the bottom of the mold. After coating the mixture, the molds are put out to dry in the sun. Ms. Vuong Thi Loan (55 years old) - a woman with many years of experience in making dó paper in hamlet 3, Nghi Phong commune said: In the past, the village had more than a hundred households making the profession, now there are only 5 households keeping the profession. Although the profession of making dó paper is not hard, it has many steps, the workers must be diligent and love the profession to maintain it. Photo: Huy Thu |
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| According to locals, each batch of paper is dried for about 3-4 hours. The stronger the sun, the more beautiful and bright the paper color. On this occasion, visiting the houses of households making do paper, you will see paper molds drying all over the garden. Photo: Huy Thu |
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The final step in making dó paper is to peel the paper from the mold. Because the paper is thin, the peeler must be very careful, otherwise the product can easily tear or wrinkle. Photo: Huy Thu
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| Phong Phu village's Do paper is white, thin, light, durable, suitable for making votive offerings, wrapping incense, storing documents, wrapping sea fish... and is favored by customers inside and outside the province. This December, the demand for Do paper increased, and people sold out as soon as they produced it. The price of paper fluctuates from 4,000 - 5,500 VND/sheet. Making Do paper not only brings a good income to people but also contributes to preserving a profession.traditionalunique, old, rare in Nghe An. Photo: Huy Thu |
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| Unique Do paper making craft in Nghi Phong (Nghi Loc, Nghe An). Video: Huy Thu |
