(Baonghean.vn) -To have afternoons with full wind and peaceful nights enjoying kite flutes, kite players from the "nhut land" Thanh Chuong have to "work very hard".make unique, beautiful kites.
 |
| Every “kite village” in Thanh Chuong has kite-making “artisans” and many make kites for free. Traditional kites are quite simple to make, the main materials are bamboo and nylon. The bamboo is carefully selected, dried thoroughly, painstakingly whittled, bent and tied into a kite frame. Each kite usually 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 |
 |
| 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 |
 |
| Next, measure the distance and drill holes to attach the flute to the kite shaft. Photo: Huy Thu |
 |
| In addition to traditional kite making techniques, kite players 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 |
 |
| Kite fabric is sewn into a kite shape with holes for bamboo sticks to be threaded through. Each kite is usually sewn into two separate halves, with a zipper when connected. Photo: Huy Thu |
 |
| 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 2 auxiliary flutes on both sides. Nowadays, the set flute is more popular and requires a lot of effort, requiring high dexterity and sophistication. First, it is necessary to be meticulous in making the flute, it is necessary to choose a type of bamboo or reed with sparse eyes, light, durable, strip off all the outer layers, grind thinly and evenly, then drill holes to connect. Photo: Huy Thu |
 |
| The flute lid is made from yellow heartwood. Depending on the size of the flute, the lid is made in a corresponding size. The maker must not only be skillful (with sawing, carving, planing, grinding techniques...) but also be very patient and hardworking. Photo: Huy Thu |
 |
| Standard flute covers are those that meet the standards of being round, smooth, light, and have holes cut to the right size. Whether the flute sounds or not depends largely on the technique used to cut the holes. Photo: Huy Thu |
 |
| 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 |
 |
| 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 |
 |
| After finishing the kite, the remaining task is to tie the fly line. Whether the kite catches the wind, soars high or hovers low, depends largely on the fly line tying technique. When flying a kite, you can attach a single flute or a set of flutes depending on your preference. Photo: Huy Thu |
 |
| "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
