Fishing net weaving profession in Thanh Chuong

Huy Thu • September 27, 2024 18:40

Weaving fishing nets not only brings income to the elderly people who practice the profession, but also contributes to preserving a long-standing traditional craft in Thanh Chuong.

Fishing traps are woven from bamboo, rattan, plastic... used to catch fish in ponds, fields or along rivers and streams. Fishing traps not only help people catch fish to improve their meals, but are also a hobby for many people. The craft of weaving fishing traps in Thanh Chuong has existed for a long time. Currently, those who are still involved in this craft are all elderly. Photo: Huy Thu

bna_2...jpg — To weave a fishing net, one must go through many stages: Splitting bamboo, rattan, sharpening teeth, whittling rattan, bending the rim, braiding the head, braiding the feet, making the rim, and making the handle... Depending on the type of fishing net (small fishing net, medium fishing net, large fishing net), one must cut bamboo, split bamboo, and sharpen teeth accordingly. Mr. Tran Dinh Mao (75 years old) in Dinh Son hamlet, Dong Van commune said: "My father used to weave fishing nets, so I learned how to weave when I was 10 years old. After retiring, I also did this job. My two brothers both do the same job as their father." Photo: Huy Thu

According to those in the profession, each set of teeth usually has 60 - 80 teeth, including 4 - 6 main teeth. These are larger than normal teeth, the inside surface, the upper half has 2 grooves carved to hold the 2 rims of the basket. The basket has many main teeth, although it is difficult to twist the rim, it is very sturdy. The craftsman starts weaving the basket by braiding the head of the basket and then the foot of the basket... Photo: Huy Thu

bna_4..jpg — During their work, the craftsmen in Thanh Chuong have made many improvements and created a number of tools... applied to production to weave fishing nets faster and with better quality. Photo: Huy Thu

bna_5..jpg — Mr. Tran Dinh Hoa (64 years old) in Dinh Son hamlet, Dong Van commune shared: He has been doing this job for more than 40 years. Having gone through many difficult times, his family still sticks to and maintains the fishing net weaving profession to this day. Each year, he and his wife weave 300 to 350 fishing nets. The products are not brought to the market, but traders often come to the house to buy them. Photo: Huy Thu

Mr. Le Van Han (72 years old) in Hamlet 6, Thanh Luong Commune said: He has been involved in the profession of weaving fishing nets for many years. As a retired cadre, he came to this profession with passion. He has dedicated most of the upper floor of his 2-storey house to storing raw materials, making fishing nets, and drying fishing nets. Photo: Huy Thu

On sunny days, Mr. Han’s roof is full of fishing nets to dry. He makes many types of fishing nets, in sizes according to customers’ requests. His fishing nets are made from only two main materials: bamboo and rattan, and do not use plastic. Photo: Huy Thu

To make standard fishing nets, according to fishing net weavers, one must first choose old bamboo, cut it at the right length, sharpen the teeth evenly, bend the rim roundly, weave and braid properly. When the fishing net is completed, it must be beautiful, with round legs and mouth, curved back, and sturdy, ensuring the fishing net is good and durable. Photo: Huy Thu

Talking about the craft of weaving bamboo baskets, Mr. Le Van Han shared: "I love the craft of weaving bamboo baskets so I learned it myself. Many days, I wake up at 4am to weave bamboo baskets. I pay attention to the quality of the product, so I choose the materials, process them carefully before weaving, making each one sturdy. Doing this job in my old age is both fun and brings in extra income." Photo: Huy Thu

Thanh Chuong bamboo nets are of good quality and are popular with consumers in and outside the province. At this time, almost all net weavers cannot make enough to meet customer orders. The price of nets depends on the type of net, ranging from 100,000 to 300,000 VND/net, the "huge" nets cost from 800,000 to 1 million VND. Photo: Huy Thu

In addition to being sold at traditional markets and imported for traders to transport to other places, Thanh Chuong people's fishing nets are also advertised on social networks. The fishing net weaving profession of the elderly not only brings income to the family, but also contributes to preserving a traditional, long-standing craft. Photo: Huy Thu

Mr. Le Van Han is famous for weaving bamboo traps in Thanh Luong commune (Thanh Chuong). Video: Huy Thu

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