The colorful brocade of Que Phong
(baonghean.vn)The brocade weaving craft of Thai ethnic women in Que Phong district is quite developed. A prime example is the cooperative of Ms. Mac Thi Hien in Pa Nat, with its high-quality products favored by consumers.
Ms. Vi Thi Thu, Vice President of the Women's Union of Que Phong District, enthusiastically stated: "Muong Ngoc commune has 1,200 households, but over 800 households already have brocade weaving looms, mostly working during their leisure time. Almost all women in Muong Ngoc know how to weave and are very skilled at it… Their products are quite diverse and abundant, becoming marketable goods with a good sales rate. To turn brocade products woven on traditional hand looms into a source of income for each family here, we must mention the production cooperative of Ms. Mac Thi Hien. After nearly 5 years of operation, this cooperative has truly proven effective, contributing significantly to the goal of poverty reduction and creating stable jobs and income for women in Muong Ngoc."
From her study tours both within and outside the province, Ms. Mac Thi Hien wondered: rattan and bamboo products, brocade fabrics, and other products made from brocade are attracting a lot of attention, but why are the brocade fabrics from her hometown, which are no less impressive, still confined to the village?
In 2004, Ms. Hien established a family-run production cooperative to create stable jobs and income. Immediately after its formation, this model was replicated by the local government and the Women's Union of Que Phong district. Using a household-based production method, based on each member family's own loom, the cooperative is responsible for supplying raw materials and designs according to orders. Workers utilize their free time, and the cooperative purchases all products after quality inspection.
|
The vocational training is conducted directly by the local artisans through a apprenticeship system. Trainees receive free training, and after completing the course, if they wish, they can be employed within the cooperative. Currently, each member of the cooperative earns an average income of 400-500 thousand VND per month. While not exceptionally high compared to the societal average, this significantly contributes to improving their living standards, not only for the permanent members.
According to Ms. Lo Thi Lan, President of the Women's Union of Muong Ngoc commune, before 2005, the percentage of poor members in the commune was between 30 and 40%, but now it is only 25% according to the new standard.
The brocade fabrics produced by Ms. Mac Thi Hien's cooperative are quite diverse in types and designs, and are selling well in the domestic market such as Hanoi and some northern provinces, as well as in regional countries such as Laos and Thailand... through consignment arrangements with several businesses inside and outside the province.
Hopefully, these vibrant colors of brocade will continue to spread even further.
Text and photos: Le Ba LieuThai Hoa Town
;){kind=link}