Nowadays, almost no one among the pottery artisans in Yang Tao commune (Lak district) knows where and when the pottery craft of the M'nong people originated; they only know that a pottery lifestyle was born a long time ago in the low-lying land - where there are many streams and creeks, surrounded by the lyrical and poetic Lak lake. The pottery craft of the M'nong people is closely linked to the settlement history of the M'nong community in this land.
Despite having gone through many historical upheavals, to this day, the miraculous vitality of the pottery craft still retains its original elements with a whole process of operation that has been passed down from generation to generation by our ancestors. Without machines, no turntables, no molds, no kilns (open-air firing), M'nong pottery depends on the dexterity of the hands and the flexibility of the artisans to create unique shapes.
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| M'nong people in Yang Tao commune (Lak district) practice painting patterns on ceramic products. |
With that meaning, the work of preserving and promoting the traditional cultural values of the pottery craft has been implemented by local authorities and functional sectors. Typically, last May, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism organized a class to teach decorative techniques on ceramic products to increase the aesthetic value of M'nong ceramic products in Yang Tao commune, Lak district. Students of the classes are artisans and local people who have had experience in making pottery for many years. Students participate in the class with a positive spirit, wishing to develop and preserve the cultural identity of their people.
Artisan H Phiet Uong, Dong Bak village (74 years old) - one of the oldest students of the course shared that she has known how to make pottery for a long time, but all the pottery products she and the people in Yang Tao commune made were plain pottery (without decorative motifs). At her advanced age, acquiring the knowledge and skills to decorate patterns on pottery products was not easy for her, but when there was an announcement about opening a class, she was the first to register. Coming to the class, she was guided meticulously and in detail by the teacher in each stroke on paper, on a flat clay surface, when she was proficient, she and the students practiced drawing patterns on finished pottery products. After 1 month of attending the class, she decorated patterns of animals such as elephants, turtles, lizards and some images of nature on finished pottery products.
Student H He Bkrong (Yok Duon village, Yang Tao commune) confided that coming to the class, she and other students not only learned skills, but also understood more about the meaning and profound cultural values of traditional patterns - motifs that are not only beautiful but also contain the soul and identity of the M'nong people.
The class has opened up a new direction, not only an opportunity to preserve the craft of our ancestors, but also helps learners become more confident in continuing to contribute to the protection and promotion of the local pottery craft. Her family has a place to display, introduce and experience the pottery making process of the local M'nong people.
With the knowledge gained from this class, she will try to improve her decorative pattern skills to improve the quality of ceramic products, meet the aesthetic needs of users, especially tourists , and increase her family's income from the traditional pottery profession.
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| Artisans and local people learn decorative patterns of M'nong ceramic products. |
H Niem Kuan (13 years old) is the youngest student to come to the class with the desire to learn and gain experience to continue and preserve the pottery making profession of his ancestors. H Niem shared that he felt very happy to learn about the traditional pottery making profession of his people. During his time studying, not only was the teacher teaching him each stroke, but he also had the opportunity to cultivate his love for the traditional culture of the M'nong people.
Teacher Duong Vy Ha, lecturer at Dak Lak College of Culture and Arts - who directly teaches and guides the class, assessed that the ceramic products after being "breathed life" by artisans and students with motifs and patterns are not only more beautiful in form but also become more vivid and attractive. The decorative patterns are images of animals, natural landscapes, familiar objects associated with daily activities, carrying the breath of life, so they are very close and familiar to the people. If they continue to practice and develop, with the skillful hands of artisans and people, the traditional values and characteristics of M'nong pottery will continue to spread to all parts of the country and international tourists.
| By the end of 2024, the pottery making craft in Yang Tao commune (Lak district) will be recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. This will open up many opportunities for preservation, development and the formation of a wider market for M'nong handmade ceramic products. |
Source: https://baodaklak.vn/van-hoa-du-lich-van-hoc-nghe-thuat/202506/khoac-ao-moi-cho-gom-mnong-068122c/
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