(VOVworld) – In addition to the famous Phat Diem Cathedral, Kim Son district in Ninh Binh province is also known for the craft of sedge weaving. Its sedge products are admired by Vietnamese and foreign consumers for their durability and beauty.
The small path to the Phat Diem stone cathedral is lined with colorful sedge bags, shoes, flower pots, and baskets. All the products are made by local craftsmen. If you visit Kim Son on a sunny day, you will see buckets of colorful fresh and dried sedges everywhere: on the sides of the dikes, lawns, and even on the walls. Local elders say Nguyen Cong Tru is honored as the founder of the sedge weaving craft in Kim Son. He brought the craft here to help local people earn a better living.
Weaving sedge mats and baskets is hard work because everything is done manually and requires great attention to detail, from choosing and drying the sedge to the weaving itself. Do Dinh Duc of Dong Huong commune, Kim Son district, has woven sedge mats for 40 years: "We must choose the most beautiful sedge to make beautiful mats. We harvest sedges when they are fresh. They are then dried in the sun where they turn pink. Only thin stems will make a beautiful mat. We buy tons of sedges, then dry them thoroughly so that they don’t get moldy”.
There are two main types of Kim Son sedge mats: those of a natural white color that have a raised braided grain; and those with colored patterns. An artisan can weave one mat per day.
In addition to mats, artisans in Kim Son make other sedge products such as home appliances and fine art items, many of which have found their way overseas. Vu Thi Dao is an artisan in Kien Thai village: "There is a wide range of souvenir products made of sedge - vases, sewing boxes, and animal figures. We try to continually refresh and diversify our products to meet customer demand”.
In Kim Son, sedge weaving is the main source of income. The veranda and courtyards are spaces where Kim Son women share their experience and expertise in making sedge products. Growing sedge and making sedge products have become the main occupations in Kim Son. The craft has been handed down through generations. Doan Minh Thanh is a student at Hanoi Trade University: "Whenever I come home, I'm happy to see sedge baskets, boxes and bags. I’ve loved these products since I was small. The shiny green and red stems of sedge inspire me. I loved braiding small flower pots or bracelets for my friends. They are simple but unique gifts”.
After visiting the Phat Diem stone cathedral, tourists often stop by a shop to buy beautiful, colorful products made of sedge as souvenirs of their trip to Ninh Binh province.