An artisan teaches broacade weaving ( Photo Thi Doat)

Indigo and black are the background colors of M’nong brocade fabric, on which the women weave intricate geometric patterns and stylized images of animals, plants, and daily activities, which reflect their view of nature, the world, and human like. U Han, one of the best weavers in Dak Ndrung commune, says brocade products show the cleverness, creativity, and emotions of the weaver. Brocade weaving is used to measure the deftness and resourcefulness of a girl when she gets married.

A brocade weaving class (photo: Thi Doat)

U Han said: “In the past a M’nong woman had to learn how to weave. She had to show off her brocade blankets and dresses to her husband’s family. When I got married, I didn’t know weaving. My husband’s family didn’t recognize me as their daughter-in-law. Then I progressed from simple to complex skills until I could weave everything.”

Another M’nong woman, U Hau, says brocade weaving has been handed down from generation to generation, from mothers to daughters, and from elder sisters to younger sisters. U Hau said: “When I was small, I used to sit next to my mother’s loom and watch her work. My father made a small loom for me. I learned to arrange the loom, hang threads, and weave simple things. When I was 12 years old, I could make bags, dresses, and loin-cloths. Now I weave whenever I have free time.”

Hand-made brocade weaving products can not compete with ready-made clothes

Now very few girls learn brocade weaving because the price of materials has increased while ready-made clothes have become available at cheaper prices.

Thi Nhum of Bu Prang hamlet, says: “Brocade weaving is very important in our life. At her wedding, a bride must have brocade blankets and dresses to show to the groom’s family. We worry that today young people don’t learn to weave and soon the craft will be lost.”

Dak Ndrung commune offered weaving classes to hundreds of M’nong women between from 2012 and 2014. Following the training, they made their own looms to weave in their leisure time. The local authorities are seeking ways to promote the M’nong craft tradition and boost the income of the artisans.