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Nguyen Duc Ngoc and one of works made by Bang Chau’s craftsmen. Photo N.T |
Binh Dinh’s traditional craft villages are now facing difficulties. Coming to Bang Chau bronze casting village, tourists could feel the locals’ wish to preserve the existence of the traditional craft village.
“Legend has it that Bang Chau bronze casting village was set up in late 17th century,” said one of the oldest villagers, Tran Neo. “Under the Tay Son dynasty, the village was divided into different areas to make different kinds of household commodities and they were then sold nationwide.”
“The Bang Chau village’s mixing formula is different from other bronze casting village; thus, it has become well known thanks to some distinctive products, such as gongs, copper pans, and worshipping items,” he added.
In Bang Chau village, the bronze casting is preserved from generation to generation. The village was very prosperous in the 70s of the 20th century. Hundreds of households were busy casting different kinds of products at that time.
Many products made by Bang Chau’s villagers have gone down in history as masterpieces of bronze casting, including the 2-meter-statue of Buddha at Long Khanh pagoda and the statue of Uncle Ho positioned at An Nhon district’s Culture-Sport Centre.
Some products originated from Bang Chau village have sunk into oblivion nowadays and most young villagers are not now interested in the bronze casting.
Bang Chau villagers, therefore, had to find a new way to preserve the existence of Bang Chau as a traditional craft village.
A series of agricultural commodities have been made so far, bringing new hope to the villagers. Its own annual festival (ancestor’s death anniversary) taking place on the 17th day of the third lunar month, therefore, became more formal.
“Previously each household in the village organized an ancestor’s death anniversary, but the whole village has gradually held one festival together, aiming to closely tie the solidarity among villagers,” said chairman of association for Bang Chau metal casting village, Nguyen Duc Ngoc.
However, the elderly villagers are now worrying the village could lose its tradition because all have to earn their living. Hundreds of highly-qualified craftsmen had to leave the village to work everywhere.
“Some manufacturers in HCM City, Vung Tau, Phan Rang, and Da Nang sometimes invited Bang Chau’s craftsmen to work for them,” Neo recalled. “They joined to make bronze drums in Da Lat and cast the relievo illustrating the image of national hero Quang Trung at the Tay Son-Binh Dinh festival last year.”
To preserve and develop the traditional craft village, it’s necessary to preserve cultural value and honor talented craftsmen.
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