The keepers of the traditional craft of 'pot village'

Huy Thu• March 7, 2022 13:56

(Baonghean.vn) - Although the traditional craft of making pots is very difficult, for generations, women in the "pot village" of Tru Son commune (Do Luong) have worked hard to earn a living and contribute to preserving the unique traditional craft of their homeland.

In Tru Son commune, there are currently about 60 households still making pots. On sunny days in the "pot village", women are busy with many familiar tasks related to the profession.clay pot. Clay pots, clay lids... are "molded" more and are spread all over family yards. Photo: Huy Thu

In Tru Son "pot village", peoplewomenplays an important role in the production of clay products, taking on all stages, from kneading clay, shaping pots, peeling, cooking, baking... Photo: Huy Thu

In particular, the pot molding and trimming stages are mainly undertaken by women, mothers and sisters. Currently, women are the main pot makers in the village, most of whom are middle-aged and elderly. Mrs. Pham Thi Hoang (80 years old) - an elderly artisan of the "pot village" happily said: "I have been involved in the clay pot craft for almost my entire life. Every day, I often go to work for the people in the neighborhood, both to earn extra income and to have more joy. As long as I am healthy, I will continue to make pots." Photo: Huy Thu

Only from clay and rudimentary tools (turntable, bamboo sticks) through the hands of mothers and sisters, without any molds, they still make many beautiful products, such as pots, pans, pots, vases, basins... "Tru Son clay pot" products are available in many provinces and cities across the country. Photo: Huy Thu

Although the work of making clay pots and clay products by hand is quite hard, with low wages of only 50,000 - 80,000 VND/day, the mothers and sisters of the "pot village" still love their jobs, are still optimistic, and work hard, leaving early and returning home at noon. Photo: Huy Thu

To make a clay pot, it must go through many stages. After the initial molding, the product is dried, then trimmed. Skilled people can "mold" many things, do all the steps, but those who are new to the profession sometimes only know how to trim them. The elderly teach the young. Those who know a lot teach those who know less. For generations, the hands of women in the pot village have been diligently "molding clay into flowers". Photo: Huy Thu

Some women and some elderly people from the "pot village" although married to men from other communes, even in the provinces, every time they return to their hometown they start making pots, some even often return to their hometown to practice their craft. The passion of the elderly here is "to keep the craft, to encourage their children and grandchildren to love the traditional craft of their homeland". Photo: Huy Thu

Middle-aged women in the "pot village" are often the ones in charge of burning pots. They work hard to collect firewood, arrange pots, light the stove, and watch the fire... Everyone tries to accumulate the most complete experience in pot making and burning techniques to maintain and develop their profession in each family. Photo: Huy Thu

Each batch of pots cooked evenly and with beautiful color is always associated with the worries about firewood and the joy of labor of the women. They always share with each other valuable experiences in improving kiln construction techniques, how to burn the kiln... to save materials and improve the quality of craft village products. Photo: Huy Thu

As the main force in the production of clay pots, women in Tru Son "pot village" have made an important contribution to economic development, building family happiness and preserving and promoting the traditional craft of their homeland. Photo: Huy Thu