Brocade weaving is the pride of the people in Bien Ho Commune in particular, as well as the Gia Rai people in general. However, facing the market mechanism, traditional weaving products face fierce competition from mass-produced industrial weaving products with diverse designs and more competitive prices.
With the desire to preserve and promote the beauty of traditional crafts of ancestors to pass on to the younger generation while creating jobs and improving income for families, artisan Ro Lan Pel gathered local women with crafts to establish the Phung Village Brocade Weaving Club.
On June 17, 2022, the club was officially established with the participation of 23 members, with the desire to connect generations and prevent the weaving craft from fading away. Artisan Pel was elected as the chairman of the club.
In order to create a place for exchange and product introduction, artisan Pel renovated her house to serve as the club's headquarters. There is a space to introduce the club and display typical weaving products made by the women themselves, such as: clothes, scarves, handbags, wallets, and pillows. An indispensable item in the display booth is the unique weaving frame of the Gia Rai people, allowing visitors to admire and experience it directly.
Unlike weaving on fixed looms like many other ethnic groups, the Gia Rai weaving frame consists of many parts and only when weaving begins are they connected together, with the weaver holding the central position. Specifically, the weaving frame consists of two round bamboo pieces about 1.20m long, one section is placed on the weaver's lap; the other section is hung fixedly above during the weaving process.
Before weaving, the warp threads are stretched straight and form a closed circle, arranged in two upper and lower layers, separated by a wooden bar. The weaver will thread the weft yarn to connect with the warp yarn, and there is another wooden bar used to press the weft yarn close together to help the fabric be firm and not shift. During the weaving process, each artisan will create their own patterns from naturally dyed fabric threads.
Not stopping with just internal activities, the members in the club have boldly combined brocade weaving activities with tourism. Every month, the members of the club gather at the headquarters, which is the house of artisan Pel. This is an opportunity for the members to meet, exchange, learn from experiences, share new patterns, as well as share the joys and sorrows of life.
The good news is that in addition to the older artisans, the club members have also seen young faces who are passionate and dedicated to their ethnic traditional craft, such as Ro Lan Han (born in 1995) and Ngan (born in 1999).
At the club, the young people are meticulously guided by the older artisans from how to spin thread and set up the loom to creating unique patterns imbued with the Gia Rai identity. Ngan confided that each lesson helps her understand more deeply the meaning of each pattern, the stories about the culture and beliefs of the ethnic group.
The current practice of teaching brocade weaving in Phung Village is not only about preserving but also about creating and adapting to new consumer needs. To gradually overcome this difficulty, the local government and artisans are currently coordinating to organise many activities of display, and cultural exchange to bring traditional brocade weaving products closer to the public, helping to promote and find markets.
A typical example is the brocade weaving performance programme at Bien Ho Tourist Area, attracting tourists and creating opportunities for the younger generation to see the economic and cultural value of the profession.
In addition, tourism activities associated with the craft village are also promoted. As an active member of the club, Ro Lan Han is very active in participating as a tour guide to directly introduce visitors to the unique cultural features of the locality, especially the traditional brocade weaving craft.
Thanks to the efforts and determination of the artisans and the attention of the local government, the brocade weaving craft in Phung Village is increasingly flourishing with the participation of many young people. It is not only the continuation of a traditional craft but also a journey to preserve the Gia Rai cultural identity, so that the colourful brocades continue to tell the story of their people over time.
