Mr. Mohamad, owner of Mohamach brocade weaving establishment in Phum Soai hamlet of Chau Phong commune, is one of the people who are exerting utmost efforts to preserve and bring brocade products of the Cham people to both Vietnamese people and international friends. Mohamad has been attached to brocade weaving craft for about 50 years.
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Mr. Mohamad introduces products to tourists. |
According to him, to make a quality brocade product, craftsmen go through different stages, from dyeing and drying cotton yarns to winding them onto the bobbins and weaving. Each stage requires ingenuity and meticulousness of the craftsmen.
Mohamad said that thanks to the development of modern weaving technologies, weaving is easier and faster. However, he chooses to keep the craft as a way to preserve the cultural values of the Cham people even though the production cost of handicraft products is higher than that of those made by machine.
Mohamad founded Mohamach brocade weaving establishment in 2000 and mobilized craftsmen to complete products at his shop or at their home. Apart from such traditional products as sarongs and scarfs, his shop also makes other products, including bags, backpacks, hats, and key chains, which are to sell to visitors, especially foreigners. Through maintaining the brocade weaving craft, Mohamad has created jobs for ten locals with an income of 100,000-150,000 VND/person/day.
Chairwoman of the People’s Committee of Phong Chau commune Vo Thuy Y Nhu said that in recent years, the traditional brocade weaving craft of the Cham people has attracted the attention of tourists. To help visitors have practical experiences, Mohamad has relived a Cham traditional wedding room for couples to save the moments when visiting the area.
In addition, while hosting customers, he passionately introduces the history of the craft villages, cultural values, and life of the Cham people in An Giang province to them. These new approaches have helped lure tourists to the village.
On March 6, 2023, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued a decision on adding more national intangible cultural heritage. Brocade weaving craft of the Cham people in Chau Phong commune, Tan Chau town, An Giang province was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage. This is an honor and pride of the Cham community in An Giang.
Translated by Chung Anh