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The only family in Hung Hoa commune still making sedge mats

Tuyen Dinh• October 10, 2023 19:30

(Baonghean.vn) - For nearly 40 years, Mr. Tran Toan and Mrs. Tran Thi Luong in Hung Hoa commune (Vinh city) have been working hard on the traditional craft of weaving sedge mats. Despite many changes, they have not given up their craft, partly to earn extra income and partly to preserve the craft that has sustained generations.

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Coming to Phong Thuan hamlet, Hung Hoa commune, Vinh city, asking about the family of Mr. Tran Toan and Mrs. Tran Thi Luong who make sedge mats, it seems like everyone knows. From the enthusiastic guidance of the local people, we found the house of the couple who have been making traditional sedge mats for nearly 40 years. Observing, it seems like all the empty spaces in the house are given priority to make room for bundles of sedge and sedge mats in the process of completion. Photo: Dinh Tuyen
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Sharing with us, Mrs. Tran Thi Luong said: The profession of making sedge mats is a profession passed down from her father and grandfather. Since childhood, she followed her parents to cut sedge and help weave. When she got married, she and her husband followed the profession of weaving mats and have been doing so for nearly 40 years now. Photo: Dinh Tuyen
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The craft of weaving sedge mats sounds simple but is very elaborate. A mat that reaches the customer must go through 5 main steps, including preparing sedge, jute, putting it on the frame, weaving and finishing the product. In the photo: The stage of tying jute, the skeleton of the mat. Photo: Dinh Tuyen
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Weaving mats requires the coordination of two people. One person holds a stick to swing the sedge fibers over the bamboo, the other person beats the bamboo teeth to press the sedge fibers together evenly and tightly. Photo: Dinh Tuyen
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Mr. Tran Toan (born in 1972), in Phong Thuan hamlet, said: In the past, the whole hamlet made mats, but now only my family remains. The mat weaving profession cannot bring my family a comfortable life, but my passion has given me the strength to overcome difficulties to maintain this traditional profession. Photo: Dinh Tuyen
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The sedge mats are completely handmade, ensuring the criteria of being warm in winter and cool in summer. Photo: Dinh Tuyen
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Nearly 20 years ago, 8/9 hamlets in Hung Hoa commune (Vinh city) were engaged in the sedge mat weaving profession, with nearly 1,000 workers. Hung Hoa sedge mats were not only sold in the markets of the Central provinces, but also exported to Laos. In particular, Phong Hao and Phong Thuan hamlets were recognized as craft villages in 2005. That was the "golden age" of Hung Hoa sedge mat craft. In the photo: Some people took the opportunity to collect the remaining sedge to sell to traders. Photo: Dinh Tuyen
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Mr. Truong Cong Dinh - Vice Chairman of Hung Hoa Commune People's Committee said: The reason why the craft of making sedge mats is at risk of being lost is because nowadays, the land is mainly converted to construction projects and aquaculture development, the sedge growing area is narrowed. In addition, the main reason is due to unstable income and lack of output for the products. Mat makers do not know who to sell to, so they are gradually giving up the craft. Photo: Dinh Tuyen
The process of making sedge mats in Hung Hoa commune (Vinh city). Clip: Dinh Tuyen
Vinh City

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      The only family in Hung Hoa commune still making sedge mats

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      Editor-in-Chief: Tran Minh Ngoc

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