Close-up of the Do paper making village during Tet season

Huy Thu January 26, 2021 10:14

(Baonghean.vn) - When peach blossoms bloom, signaling the arrival of spring, it is also the time when people in the Do paper craft village in Nghi Phong commune (Nghi Loc) are busy entering the Tet season.

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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 there are only 5 households doing the craft. In the middle of this December, when TetLunar New Yearis approaching, work atcraft villagesseems to be even busier. Photo: Huy Thu

Do paper is made from the bark of the Niet tree, which is collected by the locals from the fields, on the mountains or bought from Dien Chau and Quynh Luu districts. The bark of the Niet tree can be used fresh or dried to make paper all year round. Photo: Huy Thu

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
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
The crushed niet bark is bleached, put into a basin and mixed with water and the sap of the morning glory plant. Depending on the thickness of the paper, the craftsman will mix the niet bark mixture 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
Before the Lunar New Year, 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
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 on the mold. Water and the sap of the ivy tree will flow down to the bottom of the mold. After coating the mixture, the molds are put out to dry in the sun. Mrs. 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 worker must be diligent and love the profession to maintain it. Photo: Huy Thu
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

Phong Phu village's Do paper, with its advantages of being white, thin, light, durable, suitable for making votive offerings, wrapping incense, storing documents, wrapping sea fish... 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. 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, long-standing, rare in Nghe An. Photo: Huy Thu
Unique Do paper making craft in Nghi Phong (Nghi Loc, Nghe An). Video: Huy Thu

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Close-up of the Do paper making village during Tet season
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