The Co Tu people preserve the quintessence of wood carving

The culture and art of the Co Tu people are quite diverse and have unique features, reflecting a rich spiritual and mental life. In addition to unique customs, practices, rituals and festivals, the Co Tu people also preserve and pass on the art of wood carving - considered a valuable cultural asset of the people.

Sculptor Briu Po. Photo: D. Truong

Veteran sculptors

Village elder Briu Po ​​in Tay Giang commune is a Co Tu intellectual. He is knowledgeable about the culture and customs of the Co Tu people, passionate about the national cultural heritage, and always takes the lead in preserving, promoting, and teaching the art of wood carving and many folk knowledge to local people.

Mr. Briu Po ​​has long been associated with wood carvings - a type of visual art closely associated with the cultural and spiritual life of the Co Tu people. Village mirrors throughout the Truong Son mountain range in Quang Nam province all bear his image and ideas.

He personally carved or designed, drew models and then instructed the artisans in the village to make them. Notably, dozens of his sculptures have been to many places in the country, introducing many people to the unique art of his people when participating in competitions and folk wood carving camps in the Central Highlands.

Tomb sculpture of the Co Tu people. Photo: D. TRUONG

Artisan Briu Po ​​said: “Co Tu sculpture has existed for a long time. In the past, when building communal houses and tombs, sculpture was indispensable. Co Tu sculpture is rich and diverse, about people, animals, community activities… And the Co Tu people love this art of sculpture very much.”

In addition to village elder Briu Po, along the Co Tu villages there are many veteran sculptors such as Clau Blao, Ada Nhat, Clau Nhim or Alang Bleu... When coming to the mountainous region of Quang, it will not be difficult to see their sculptures because they are present everywhere in every house, in the mirrors or the tombs...

The Co Tu people's wood carvings are mainly simple sketches, with simple strokes and chiseling without elaborate lines or colors, so they have a rustic look. However, many of these sculptures reflect the Co Tu people's outlook on life and the world , the universe, as well as the customs, habits, daily life, work, production... of their people.

Dr. Tran Tan Vinh, who has devoted many years to researching the culture of the Co Tu people, affirmed: “The veteran Co Tu sculptors have contributed greatly to preserving and passing on the art of wood carving of their people.

Since the movement to restore traditional communal houses, the art of wood carving has also been promoted and the role of artisans has become extremely important. They have kept the flame of primitive wood carving that has been passed down for thousands of years. This is a unique feature that only the Co Tu people have.

Passing on the quintessence…

The preservation and promotion of Co Tu sculpture art has a very important role of the village elders. They are the big trees, the prestigious people who gather talented young people in the village to pass on the craft and instill in their souls the meaning and importance of preserving the art of sculpture.

Young sculptor To-Ngon Doc. Photo: D.TRUONG

Perhaps it is thanks to this strong spiritual support that over the years, in the villages of western Quang Nam, more and more young sculptors have appeared.

They have accumulated the knowledge passed down from their ancestors and developed their youthful creative thinking to breathe into their sculptures both traditional features and the breath of youthful, dynamic life.

To maintain and promote the quintessence of Co Tu wood carving in a systematic way, every year the mountainous localities of Quang Nam organize youth sculpture competitions. From this activity, many Co Tu sculptors are discovered and nurtured to become the next keepers of the fire.

Young sculptor To Ngon Doc in Tay Giang commune said: “We are very proud of our nation’s cultural and artistic traditions. What we have today is thanks to the experienced artisans who passed it on, breathing into our souls the passion to continue promoting the value of sculptural art…”.

Ms. Po Lien Hon (Tay Giang commune) affirmed: “We believe that the art of sculpture of our people will never be lost. Because we have experienced people who have gone before to teach us and there are also young artisans today who continue to preserve it.”

Young sculptor To-Ngon Doc with a round wooden statue. Photo: D.TRUONG

Artisan Briu Po ​​said that the most beautiful dance of Co Tu women is za za, and men dance tan tung. It is a typical cultural and artistic symbol. Therefore, in any mirror, Co Tu people also carve symbols of these two dances.

When women look into the mirror and see the symbol of the Za Za dance, they feel respected. And so, women will be encouraged mentally, they will be happier, work harder, and take care of their families.

"That is the way that today's young people in the Co Tu villages need to grasp and practice so that sculpture is always associated with life and has important meaning, helping life to flourish" - artisan Briu Po ​​added.

According to researchers, Co Tu sculpture must maintain its original quality to achieve artistic value. Originality in Co Tu sculpture is the originality of materials, ideas, lines, layouts and even colors of the work.

It is worth discussing that currently, many wooden statues of the Co Tu people are being overused by artisans with industrial paint colors. Therefore, many statues have beautiful compositions but unsuitable colors, affecting the original artistic quality. If we want to preserve Co Tu sculptures, it is necessary to use folk materials to ensure the "language" of this unique art form...

Source: https://baodanang.vn/nguoi-co-tu-giu-gin-tinh-hoa-dieu-khac-go-3265205.html