From Vietnam News, December 14, 2004

 

Dream weaver: Tai women weave intricate textile patterns before students visiting the Museum of Ethnology in Ha Noi. — VNS Photo Doan Tung

 

Ethnology museum focuses on Tai minority textiles

HA NOI — An exhibition exploring the beautiful and diverse textiles of the ethnic Tai women of Laos, Thailand, China and Viet Nam opened in the Viet Nam Museum of Ethnology last week.

The exhibit will feature 80 selected objects and showcase the delicate and skilful techniques used in the textiles. The items include distinctive garments such as caps, turbans, skirts, and blouses used in day-to-day life as well as rituals.

At the museum, visitors can see demonstrations of spinning, natural dye making and traditional weaving skills performed by five Tai women from Nghe An’s Yen Thanh village.

The artisans will explain to visitors the use and meanings of the various woven goods as well as the medical uses of some of the dyes.

People will also have opportunities to try their hands at weaving. "In the past, we used to weave to provide for ourselves and our families," said Luong Thi Tin, chairwoman of the Con Cuong District Women’s Union. "In recent years, the work has eroded, partly due to cheap prices and different types of cloth available in the market. We are determined to recover the jobs for future generations."

The exhibition, which runs through May next year, is the result of a joint research and exchange project between the Vietnamese museum, the Institute of Cultural Research in Laos, the Yunnan Nationalities Museum and scholars from Thammasat University of Thailand.

In addition to the exhibit, a range of educational and public activities will take place in the museum including performances, a public presentation and a film screening. — VNS

 

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