Thai group in Vietnam keeps traditional cloth dyeing alive
The Thai are one of the 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam. This ethnic group is the third-largest in the country, with around 1.5 million people, ranking only after the Kinh and Tày groups.
They primarily reside in the northwest of Vietnam, such as Son La, Hoa Binh, Dien Bien, Lao Cai, and Lai Chau. The elegance of Thai traditional attire is evident in its graceful style, highlighting the innate beauty of women.
A traditional Thai costume comprises a cropped shirt, a lengthy gown, a skirt, a waistband, a scarf, a hat, and a sarong. Accessories typically encompass necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and sarongs. Every element bears significance in Thai attire, distinguishing between the clothing worn by young, mature, unmarried, or married women.
Presently, the attire of this ethnic collective has undergone certain enhancements. Previously, the elders would don indigo-dyed skirts crafted from self-woven fabric.
The Thai community residing in Che Can Village, Muong Phang Commune, in the northern province of Dien Bien, perseveres with their traditional dyeing method employing the indigo plant for their customary clothing.
The dye is derived from the indigo plant, cultivated in the mountains, necessitating approximately 3 months for cultivation. Following harvest, the plant's leaves are blended and crushed with lime powder before being immersed in water to create a paste.
Upon readiness, the dye demands consistent upkeep to achieve the desired hue. Fluctuations in temperature and humidity can impact it; even unfortunate occurrences such as a village member's passing can be regarded as detrimental to the colour's integrity.
The dyeing procedure itself consumes a substantial duration, involving the fabric being immersed in the dye multiple times over a span of 3-4 days, dependent on the desired colour intensity.
Subsequently, the fabric is soaked in a blend of water, salt, lemon, and bitter leaves to secure the colour.
Viet Nam News
