Photo by: Tuoi Tre Quang Nam

Brocade weaving retains the traditional characteristics of the Cotu ethnic people of Quang Nam province. Long ago, local people wove brocade products to serve their own family needs. With the development of a market economy, the Co tu began to buy clothes from elsewhere and their brocade weaving almost faded out. A few years ago, Japan’s Fund for International Development and Relief gave Nam Giang district with 55,000 USD to restore the local weaving craft. Pham Thi Nhu is Vice Chairwoman of the Nam Giang District People’s Committee said that many contracts have been signed to ease local artisans’ worries about outlets for their products. “The Japanese funded project has helped to promote the brocade products of the Co tu people, improve their design and teach the weaving techniques to women in Zora hamlet. Their products have been displayed at trade fairs in HCM City and overseas. Thanks to these efforts, local products have found their ways into foreign markets. Many contracts have been signed to ensure outlets for local brocade products”, she said.

Photo by: Bich Dao - VOV

As Co tu women work all day in the fields, it was difficult at first to persuade them to join the weaving group. However, appeals to their cultural identity convinced 20 women to join the group. Over the few past years, the Zo Ra brocade weaving group has turned out dozens of beautiful and eye-catching designs and patterns. After working in the fields during the day, in the evening they join the weaving group to produce beautiful handbags, clothes, towels and hats. Now, the weaving craft is flourishing in this hamlet. Local women have even learned how to promote their products in tourist hubs such as Hanoi, HCM City, Da Nang and Hoi An. As a result, their sales have increased dramatically. Nguyen Thi Kim Lan feels very lucky to be a member of the weaving group. “The women’s union and the project have helped us develop the weaving craft. They helped to find outlets. Thanks to the project, our family has more money and we can now buy more home appliances. This project also helps us promote our cultural identity and that’s why we try our best to maintain and develop this trade”, Lan said.

Many local artisans skilled in the craft have passed their secrets to younger generations. The craft has now spread to other communes in Nam Giang district. Le Thi Le Thuy, Vice Chairwoman of Nam Giang district said that many others throughout Nam Giang district are now following the brocade weaving trade and this model has proved to be very effective.

Story by: Mai Phuong