Preserving the traditional weaving craft of La Chi people
La Chi people are ethnic minorities living in Nam Khanh commune (Bac Ha district), so far they still preserve many unique cultural features. One of them is the traditional costume of the people here. In particular, La Chi women in Nam Khanh still grow cotton, weave and sew clothes for family members.Taking advantage of her free time, Mrs. Vang Thi Ne in Nam Khanh village and her family members separate cotton seeds, dry them, loosen them up, roll them into small bars, then spin yarn to prepare for weaving the clothes. From rudimentary tools, with skillful hands, they have created textile products with rich colors and patterns, containing the cultural values of the La Chi ethnic group. Mrs. Vang Thi Ne said: This is a traditional profession of the nation, so I always try to preserve and teach it to my children.
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| Cotton rolling and spinning stage |
Along with the stilt houses and traditional customs, growing cotton, weaving and sewing are the unique identities of La Chi women in Nam Khanh commune. Being aware of that, since childhood, Vang Thi Dai in Nam Khanh village was taught by her mother and grandmother how to weave, embroider, and sew so that she could make her own costumes. Vang Thi Dai confided: When she was only 5-6 years old, she and many other friends followed her mother to the fields to grow cotton, when she was a little older, she was taught by her mother, grandmother and sisters to each meticulous needle and thread to be able to weave, embroider and sew her own costumes. Currently, although ready to wear clothes are sold a lot in the markets, I still prefer to wear my ethnic costumes because they are very beautiful and feel more comfortable when wearing them...
Currently, La Chi people in Nam Khanh commune live mainly in Nam Khanh village (97%). Embroidery and sewing is one of the leading criteria to evaluate the quality, morality, ingenuity and hard work of La Chi women. On the textile products of this ethnic group, there are many beautiful patterns, expressing the creativity on each needle and thread, the most popular of which are embroidery patterns and fabric grafting patterns. The patterns of triangles, dots, and fillings combined with contours are mainly embroidered on both sides of the collar and bib, creating softness for women's costumes. To make a shirt, it takes a lot of time and effort because everything has to be done by hand.
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La Chi young girl is excited when being taught the technique of embroidery by adults. |
La Chi men and women both wear black clothes. Through each shirt, scarf or hat, La Chi women show their ingenuity as well as send affection to their loved ones, helping people to get closer and love each other more. This is also the way for generations of La Chi people in Nam Khanh to preserve their traditional weaving as the cultural symbol of their nation.
