(Baonghean.vn) -The Thai people in Western Nghe An still maintain the indigo dyeing profession to make completely natural fabrics. Indigo dyeing requires a lot of effort.
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| Ms. Lo Thi Lien, residing in Can village, Tam Thai commune (Tuong Duong), is known as one of the most beautiful and experienced indigo dyers. We followed her into the forest to pick indigo plants to dye fabric with her. Ms. Lien said: "In the past, we had to go deep into the forest to get them, but now we can go closer because people have collected indigo seeds and sowed them near their houses for convenience in harvesting indigo." Photo: Dinh Tuan |
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| Indigo is a shrub growing about 0.5-2 meters tall. It can be an annual, biennial or perennial, depending on the climate where it lives. It has odd-pinnate leaves with 7-15 pale green, rounded leaflets. Photo: Dinh Tuan |
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| After being picked from the forest, it will be washed and soaked in a jar with water for 2 days and 2 nights. Then check to see if the indigo has foamed. When it does, squeeze out all the stems and leaves and throw them away, leaving the indigo water. Photo: Dinh Tuan |
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| Once all the leaves and stems have been removed, mix lime water with indigo water and stir well to create bubbles, creating yeast for the indigo. Continue to soak for another day, then drain off all the clear water on top of the indigo jar, leaving only the solid part below. Photo: Dinh Tuan |
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| Continue to use a ladle to scoop the solid part below and mix it into the indigo water that has been soaked for many years to dye. Photo: Dinh Tuan |
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| The preparation work is done and the dyeing process begins. People drop the products (fabric, shirts, pants, skirts...) into the indigo jar. Photo: Dinh Tuan |
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| After soaking and dyeing, it will be washed. After washing, it will be dried in the sun. When it is dry, it will continue to be dyed. Only when it is black and the dyer is satisfied will the dyer stop. Photo: Dinh Tuan |
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| This is the body of a dress before it was dyed. Photo: Dinh Tuan |
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| And here it is finished dyeing. Photo: Dinh Tuan |
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| Ms. Lien said: "Dyeing fabric with indigo is not too difficult, basically the dyer must know how to mix and understand the principles so that when using it, the color will not fade." Photo: Dinh Tuan |
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| The dresses and shirts are mainly handmade, the materials are taken from nature, very safe and durable to use. Photo: Dinh Tuan |
Dinh Tuan
