(Baonghean.vn) - The paper fan craft village in Nam village (Nghi Trung commune, Nghi Loc district, Nghe An) was formed hundreds of years ago and still maintains the traditional manual method.
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| The paper fan making profession in Nam village was formed hundreds of years ago, originating from the villagers themselves. According to Mr. Pham Dinh Tan (82 years old, Nam village), "Up to my generation, I am the third generation to be involved in the paper fan making profession in Nam village. Before that, our fathers and grandfathers also followed this profession." The busy time of the craft village usually starts from the 3rd to the 7th lunar month every year. This is the hot season, so fans sell better. Photo: Thien Thien |
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| After being dried in the sun, the old bamboo pieces are sawed into equal pieces, then split into small, thin fan ribs and whittled by the skillful hands of artisans from Nam village to make them smooth and silky. Photo: Thien Thien |
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| The fan “skeleton” is then encased in an aluminum core in the handle. Photo: Thien Thien |
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| If bamboo is the “bone” of the fan, then wind paper is the “meat”. The wind paper is cut into arc-shaped edges. Photo: Thien Thien |
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| The Nam village paper fans are light purple, the color of cassava bark water. After the cassava bark is crushed, mixed with a small amount of water and soaked for 2 days to ensure adhesion, it will be brushed onto the fan. This step is usually undertaken by women because it requires dexterity and meticulousness. Photo: Thien Thien |
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| The paper fans after being “decorated” with cassava peel water will be taken out to dry. If the weather is sunny, it only takes about 1 hour, just enough for the cassava peel water to stick to the wind paper, then the fan will have the sweet scent of cassava peel water, making the user feel comfortable. Photo: Thien Thien |
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| Nam village paper fans are currently imported to all regions of Dien Chau, Quynh Luu, Quy Chau, Ha Tinh... for tourists from all over the world or coastal areas to use for fanning grilled fish, shrimp... Mr. Nguyen Van Tan, a villager, proudly said: "Each fan making season, we can export thousands of fans to serve customers everywhere. Although the import price is less than 5 thousand VND/fan, the people of Nam village have never had any intention of giving up the profession their ancestors left behind." Photo: Thien Thien |
Thien Thien
