(Baonghean.vn) -To have afternoons with full wind on the kite, peaceful nights enjoying kite flutes, the kite players of "the land of the "nhut" Thanh Chuong have to "work very hard".make unique, beautiful kites.
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| Every “kite village” in Thanh Chuong has kite-making “artisans” and many make kites for free. Traditional kites are made quite simply, the main materials are bamboo and nylon. The bamboo is carefully selected, dried thoroughly, painstakingly trimmed, bent and tied into a kite frame. Usually, each kite needs 3 bamboo sticks (1 stick for the shaft, 2 sticks for the wings). In the photo: A resident of Yen Long hamlet, Thanh Yen commune is bending the wings of a kite. Photo: Huy Thu |
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| After finishing the kite frame, people often cover it with a piece of plastic, adjust it to be symmetrical, then sew and glue the seams firmly to complete the kite. Photo: Huy Thu |
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| Next is to measure the distance and drill holes to attach the flute to the kite shaft. Photo: Huy Thu |
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| In addition to traditional kite-making techniques, kite-flyers in “kite villages” also adopt new ways of making kites with beautiful shapes (multi-colored, with tails), easy to assemble and disassemble, and convenient to move. This type of kite has wings made from 4 bamboo sticks (connected together via a metal shaft) and specialized, ready-made fabrics. In the photo: A young man in Hamlet 2, Thanh Luong Commune is measuring and cutting kite fabric. Photo: Huy Thu |
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| Kite fabric is sewn into a kite shape with holes for bamboo sticks to be strung. Each kite is usually sewn into two separate halves, with a zipper when connected. Photo: Huy Thu |
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| The kite flute is the most difficult part to make. In the past, Thanh Chuong people often played a single flute made from a bamboo tube or a milk carton, with two additional flutes on both sides. Nowadays, the flute is more popular and requires a lot of effort, requiring dexterity and high sophistication. First, it is necessary to be meticulous in making the flute, choosing the type of bamboo or reed with sparse eyes, light, durable, stripping off all the outer layers, grinding thinly and evenly, then drilling connecting holes. Photo: Huy Thu |
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| The flute lid is made from yellow heartwood. Depending on the size of the flute, the lid will be made in a corresponding size. The maker must not only be skillful (with sawing, carving, planing, grinding techniques...) but also be very patient and hard-working. Photo: Huy Thu |
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| Standard flute covers are those that meet the standards of being round, smooth, light, and have the holes drilled to the correct size. Whether the flute sounds or not depends largely on the technique of drilling the holes. Photo: Huy Thu |
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| Making traditional flute kites, each person only needs half a day to complete a kite, but making new-style kites, it can take a whole week to complete a flute kite. Photo: Huy Thu |
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| A set of flutes is made from 7 to 9 pairs of flutes, with regular sizes from large to small. To make a set of flutes with resonant sounds according to musical notes is a feat, including family secrets. Photo: Huy Thu |
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| After finishing the kite, the remaining task is to tie the string. Whether the kite catches the wind, soars high or hovers low depends largely on the technique of tying the string. When flying a kite, you can attach a single flute or a set of flutes depending on your preference. Photo: Huy Thu |
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| "Kite flying" is a very elaborate profession. To own beautiful, high-flying kites, kite players in "kite villages" have constantly innovated and improved kite-making techniques. They are the ones who "play for themselves" to satisfy their passion, and "play for the village" to preserve a traditional rural feature. Photo: Huy Thu. |
Huy Thu
