Come to My Son to experience Cham brocade weaving

Foreign tourists learn about Cham brocade weaving at My Son. Photo: KHÁNH LINH

With 2 traditional wooden frames performed by 2 Cham artisans ( Ninh Thuan ), the Cham brocade weaving spot always has tourists coming to learn and experience.

Ms. Ngu Thi Thuong Uyen, a brocade weaver in My Son, said that many foreign tourists are interested and excited when hearing about the introduction of traditional weaving techniques as well as the meaning of the colors and patterns on Cham brocade panels, because it is not only the unique beauty or sophistication of the product but also the expression of the culture that tourists are experiencing.

“We wholeheartedly guide any tourist who wants to experience Cham brocade weaving because it is also a joy and happiness when the cultural values of the Cham people are cared for” – Ms. Thuong Uyen said and informed that her job is not only to perform for tourists but also to weave complete brocade pieces as souvenirs to sell to customers such as scarves, tablecloths, etc.

Although woven using traditional frames, the patterns and motifs on Cham textile products are not monotonous or lacking in highlights; on the contrary, they are often decorated symmetrically. According to Ms. Uyen, Cham brocade currently has over 30 types of patterns, which are roughly divided into groups such as plant patterns (oranges, vines, beans, popped rice grains...), animal patterns (human figures, dove beads, turtle shells, lizards...), object patterns such as towers, box lids, saw teeth, anchors... and other types of patterns such as beads, bubbles, mesh patterns...

Cham artisans demonstrate Cham brocade weaving in My Son. Photo: KHÁNH LINH

In particular, if in the past, the patterns on Cham brocade only had the function of aesthetic decoration or reflecting cultural, social, religious, and belief characteristics... to help distinguish the class, age, rank, and social status of the user, today, the Cham people of Ninh Thuan, in addition to weaving brocade to make traditional costumes, also develop many small and beautiful products such as scarves, handbags, backpacks, pencil cases, wallets, handbags... creating a variety of styles of use.

Deployed nearly 10 years ago, the Cham brocade weaving experience space was initially arranged in a thatched house along the road from the Double House area to the E, F tower group, creating a different highlight but still in harmony with the Champa temple tower area. However, since February 2025, it has been moved to the My Son Museum to create convenient conditions for visitors to visit and learn before entering the relic.

Ms. Quan Thi Thu Loi - a Cham brocade weaver shared that she is very proud to introduce her ethnic culture to tourists, especially young people and students, because few young people today are interested in the traditional brocade weaving profession. "Through Cham brocade products, I want to continue the tradition of my ancestors, at the same time promote and spread the unique cultural values of the profession to tourists all over the world " - Ms. Loi confided.

Students experience Cham brocade weaving in My Son. Photo: MY SON

According to Mr. Nguyen Cong Khiet - Director of the My Son Cultural Heritage Management Board, the unit's consistent viewpoint in the conservation of the temple tower complex is to aim for comprehensive coverage, both physical architecture and intangible cultural values. Therefore, many years ago, in addition to building a Cham folk art program (which has become a trademark of the heritage site), the development of a Cham brocade weaving performance space in My Son was identified as a suitable direction, contributing to the creation of service diversity, connecting cultural values to the heritage system.

“We want visitors to experience a complete cultural space, where they can both visit the architectural masterpieces of temples and towers and truly feel the intangible cultural values of the Cham people performed by the Cham people themselves in the heritage land to bring the most memorable and profound impressions,” Mr. Khiet confided.

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/den-my-son-trai-nghiem-det-tho-cam-cham-3156778.html