16/01/2024
Basketry is the craft of making objects from fibers, such as grasses, twigs, bamboo, or other such materials.
In Sapa, basketmaking is a male occupation, and Hmong baskets are made of a specific species of bamboo.
Hmong people in Vietnam would grow crops in an area they cleared within the forest, and then move on to another area. Since they moved regularly, they needed baskets to store items and move their clothing and food with them.
Communities are now sedentary, but bamboo baskets are still used to carry vegetables home from the fields. Many men make basic baskets, but a few men are known for their skill and the artistry of their baskets. These men are able to sell their work easily.
After collecting bamboo from the forest, they strip, scrape and sometimes soak it in water and then dry it to make it ready for weaving and to prevent insect infestation. It takes a full day to prepare materials and a second day for weaving. Once completed, baskets are hung above the fire so that the smoke preserves them and keeps insects away.
