Since childhood, Mr. Krang has been familiar with the image of village elders carving large logs into statues for the ceremony. In 1988, when he followed the village elders into the forest to collect wood, he approached and began to learn the profession. He learned by observing the way his predecessors did it, practicing and accumulating experience. By 1990, he had completed his first monkey statue.
“When I finished carving the first statue and it was erected in the middle of the ceremony yard, I was both nervous and happy. Nervous because I didn’t know if anyone would criticize me, and happy because for the first time my product was accepted. That feeling made me want to learn more and do more,” Mr. Krang recalled.
According to Mr. Siu Krang, to make a statue, first of all, you need good and suitable wood. The wood chosen is usually chay or chit wood because this type of wood is easy to carve, durable and termite-free. The trunk must be straight, even, with a diameter of 25-35cm or more to create the shape of a person or animal. “In the past, we could still find big trees in the forest. Now the forest is drying up, there is no more wood like before. Sometimes it takes a whole week to find a tree that is just right,” Mr. Krang shared.
Currently, due to the depletion of natural wood resources, Mr. Siu Krang mainly carves small-sized statues, both to serve the village's funeral ceremony and to teach local youth the technique of carving statues. Each statue he creates is handcrafted using an axe, a knife and a few simple tools.
Mr. Krang said that sculpting human statues is the most complicated because it requires precise calculation of body proportions, face, and standing posture according to cultural symbols. Meanwhile, sculpting animal statues such as monkeys, birds, toads... is simpler and easier to complete in a short time. On average, each statue takes about 3 days to complete, including 3 main steps: sketching, carving and polishing details. "Sculpting animal statues is easier than sculpting human statues. Like monkeys, birds... no facial features are needed, just look at the shape and you can do it" - Mr. Siu Krang said.
Many people call him an “artisan” but he refuses to accept it. He believes that keeping his craft is the greatest joy. For him, continuing to teach his craft is not to seek fame, but to preserve a cultural value that is gradually being forgotten.
According to Mr. Siu Krang, fewer and fewer young people are interested in sculpting or traditional skills. Many young people in the village work far away or spend their time on technology and social networks. “Children now are addicted to phones and the internet. As for sculpting statues and playing gongs, few people are interested. If no one keeps them, everything will be lost,” Mr. Siu Krang worries.
In addition to sculpting statues, Mr. Siu Krang is also proficient in the art of playing gongs and traditional weaving. During the period 2017-2020, he actively participated in the Cultural and Sports Competition of Ethnic Minorities in Chu Se district, contributing many performances such as: gong performances, practicing sculpting statues and introducing the weaving techniques of the Jrai people.
Speaking to reporters, Mr. Siu Vong - Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Hbong Commune said: Mr. Siu Krang is one of the very few people who still master the traditional tomb carving techniques in the locality. The statues he made are still used in the Jrai people's ritual of abandoning the code. Whenever the commune has a cultural event, he participates as a performing artist and guides the community.
“In the coming time, we will coordinate with people who understand traditional culture like Mr. Siu Krang to organize classes to teach statue carving and gong playing to young people in the village. This is not only a way to preserve intangible cultural heritage but also helps the younger generation understand more about the value of their ethnic identity,” Mr. Vong added.
Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/siu-krang-gin-giu-nghe-tac-tuong-post330066.html
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