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| Manufacturing of sedge products in Tây An commune, Thai Binh. |
| Photo: CTV/CVN |
Famous for their ancestral know-how, the inhabitants of the commune of Tây An, in the district of Tiên Hai, in the province of Thai Binh (North), perpetuate the craft of weaving sedge, a heritage passed down from generation to generation.
In the past, villagers cultivated and harvested sedge to make bags and hats for the local market, supplementing their meager income. Today, thanks to globalization, their products are reaching far beyond national borders, gaining recognition on the international stage.
Bringing the profession to life
Heir to ancestral know-how, Nguyen Thi Nham, originally from Tay An commune, Tien Hai district, has had an unwavering passion for weaving sedge since the age of 10. Today, at the venerable age of 85, her hands continue to weave magic with admirable dexterity.
“Carex weaving is deeply rooted in the traditions of our commune, it is passed down from generation to generation. From a young age, I was introduced to this craft by my grandparents and parents. It is said that our village is the cradle of this craft, which then spread to other regions such as Hung Hà district in Thai Binh province and Nghia Hung district in neighboring Nam Đinh province.”she confides with emotion.
Despite his failing eyesight, M’s handsme Nhâm do not tremble and weave the carex with remarkable speed and precision.
“In the past, sedge weaving was the only source of income for the inhabitants of our commune. Many families depended on this craft to support themselves,” she remembers with nostalgia. “Despite their age, many people continue to weave it every day, both to support themselves and to pass on this ancestral craft to younger generations.”she continues. This craft requires great patience, as it involves many meticulous steps, from selecting the raw material to transforming it into finished products. First, mature sedge stems must be selected, neither too old nor too young, so that they can be pressed easily. Then, the stems are washed, soaked, dried and pressed before being woven.
Soaking grass requires skill and experience, as it must be handled correctly. After drying, the grass is pressed and then put through a machine to be beaten and dyed. Maintaining consistent colors is essential to obtaining beautiful products.
Once the grass blades meet the standards, the artisans begin weaving. After weaving, the products are dried, then cut, trimmed, labeled and packaged for sale.
“Once pressed, the grass must be sorted by size and color to ensure a harmonious weaving. The products are very varied: baskets, hats, bags, mats, etc. We can weave anything,” explains Mme Nham.
Export of products
| Sedge products. |
| Photo: CTV/CVN |
The main architect of this development is Pham Thi Ngan, who founded a company and marketed the products to various companies.
Mme Ngan quickly understood the market demands and foreign tastes, which gradually allowed Tay An sedge products to reach the whole world. She prides herself: “Every month, our company exports many products such as handbags and baskets to countries such as the United States, Japan and Thailand, creating employment opportunities for thousands of workers.”
“It is a source of pride and motivation for the people of Tay An, who must continue to preserve and develop the craftsmanship.”, she adds.
Mme Ngan said she has always dreamed of creating more jobs for rural workers, especially women. Thanks to the presence of sedge product businesses, many elderly women in Tay An commune in particular have found part-time jobs to supplement their income.
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| Despite her failing eyesight, this Tay An craftswoman weaves sedge with remarkable speed and precision. |
| Photo: CTV/CVN |
Trân Thi Diêp, 80 years old, shares: “My mother taught me how to weave sedge from a very young age. Later, after I got married, I continued with my mother-in-law. Today I continue to weave sedge products for a company.”
For large items, Mme Diep can weave two to three pieces a day, and up to seven for small items. For small boxes, the price is 10,000 dong (0.4 USD) per piece, while larger products can fetch up to 100,000 dong (4 USD) per piece.
Nguyên Thi Thom, 45, said: “Even though I have a stable job, I continue to weave in the evenings. Every month, I weave 50 to 60 products of different sizes, which allows me to earn a decent income.”
Sedge products are constantly being improved, which helps attract more customers and increases quality and profitability. They are now decorated with patterns and designs before reaching the market, instead of being sold in their raw state as was the case before.
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| The craft of sedge weaving, a heritage passed down from generation to generation. |
| Photo: CTV/CVN |
Sedge weaving has spread to more than 20 communes in Tien Hai district, creating more than 1,500 jobs. From natural materials, the skilled hands of craftsmen have created beautiful hats, baskets and many other things.
Currently, the Tien Hai District Elderly Association attaches great importance to organizing lectures on this craft and awarding certificates to encourage the elderly to continue passing on their know-how.
In addition, many companies have launched projects encouraging locals to introduce workers to traditional sedge weaving companies by offering them attractive commissions, thereby expanding the craft network in the province.
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| Tay An sedge products displayed at a fair in Thai Binh. |
| Photo: DV/CVN |
Finally, the authorities regularly organize exhibitions such as the One Commune One Product (OCOP – Each commune, its product) fairs in order to present local products, which helps to expand the market and increase the visibility of this craft among the public.
The sedge baskets, which had no name or brand and were found in rural markets, are now present in many provinces and cities across the country and are even shipped abroad.
Huong Linh/CVN
