The craft of weaving fishing baskets in Thanh Chuong
Huy Thu•September 27, 2024 18:40
Weaving fishing baskets not only provides income for elderly people who practice the craft, but also contributes to preserving a long-standing traditional craft in Thanh Chuong.
A fish trap is a tool woven from bamboo, rattan, or plastic, used to catch fish in ponds, fields, or along rivers and streams. Fishing with a trap not only provides a source of fish to improve meals but is also a hobby for many. The craft of weaving fish traps in Thanh Chuong has a long history. Currently, those still involved in this craft are mostly elderly people. Photo: Huy Thu To weave a fishing basket requires many steps: splitting bamboo and rattan, shaping the teeth, smoothing the rattan, bending the rim, braiding the head and feet, attaching the rim, and shaping the handle… Depending on the type of basket (small, medium, or large), the bamboo is cut, split, and shaped accordingly. Mr. Tran Dinh Mao (75 years old) from Dinh Son hamlet, Dong Van commune, said: “My father also used to weave fishing baskets, so I learned to weave when I was 10 years old. After retiring, I also took up this trade. My brother and I both work in our father’s trade.” Photo: Huy Thu According to those in the trade, each set of fishing net teeth usually has 60-80 teeth, including 4-6 main teeth. These are larger than normal teeth, with two grooves carved into the inner surface of the upper half to hold the two rims of the net. Nets made with many main teeth, although difficult to tie the rims, are very stable. The craftsman begins weaving the net by braiding the head of the net, then the base... Photo: Huy ThuDuring their craft, artisans in Thanh Chuong have made many improvements and created several tools... which they apply to production to weave fishing baskets faster and with better quality. Photo: Huy ThuMr. Tran Dinh Hoa (64 years old) from Dinh Son hamlet, Dong Van commune, shared: He has been doing this job for over 40 years. Despite going through many difficult periods, his family has remained dedicated to and maintained the craft of weaving fishing baskets to this day. Each year, he and his wife weave 300 to 350 baskets. The products aren't taken to the market; traders often come directly to their home to buy them. (Photo: Huy Thu) Mr. Le Van Han (72 years old), residing in Hamlet 6, Thanh Luong Commune, said: He has been involved in the craft of weaving fishing baskets for many years. As a retired official, he came to this profession out of passion. He has dedicated most of the upper floor of his two-story house to storing materials and carrying out the various stages of making and drying the baskets. Photo: Huy Thu On sunny days, Mr. Han's corrugated iron roof is covered with drying baskets. He makes many types of baskets, in sizes according to customer requests. Notably, his baskets are made only from two main materials: bamboo and rattan, without using any plastic. Photo: Huy Thu According to traditional basket weavers, to make a perfect fishing basket, one must first select mature bamboo, cut it at the right point, trim the teeth evenly, bend the rim into a circle, and weave and braid it using the correct technique. When finished, the basket must be aesthetically pleasing, with a round base and mouth, a curved back, and be sturdy, ensuring the basket is durable and long-lasting. (Photo: Huy Thư) Speaking about the craft of weaving fishing baskets, Mr. Le Van Han shared: “I love weaving fishing baskets, so I taught myself. Many days, I wake up around 4 am to weave baskets. I focus on product quality, so I carefully select and process the materials before weaving, making sure each basket is sturdy. Doing this as an extra job in my old age is both enjoyable and provides additional income.” (Photo: Huy Thu)Thanh Chuong bamboo fishing nets are of good quality and are therefore popular with consumers both inside and outside the province. At this time of year, almost all the elderly weavers are unable to keep up with customer orders. The price of a net varies depending on the type, ranging from 100,000 to 300,000 VND per net, while larger nets can cost from 800,000 to 1,000,000 VND. Photo: Huy ThuBesides selling at traditional markets and supplying traders for transport to other places, the fishing baskets made by people in Thanh Chuong are also advertised on social media. The craft of weaving fishing baskets by the elderly not only brings income to their families but also contributes to preserving a long-standing traditional craft. Photo: Huy Thu Mr. Le Van Han is a renowned bamboo fishing basket weaver in Thanh Luong commune (Thanh Chuong district). Video: Huy Thu
