Philouise’s Weblog

Sangal di Kultura

Weaving the thread and the life of people

Philian louise weygan (May 25, 2009)

My appreciation of the unique Vietnamese weave started when we visited the XQ Hoi An art house in Danang. Visiting Danang which is strategically located in the middle of Vietnam, one gets the impression that it is a new city built on international standards, quite different from Ho chi Minh (Saigon) and Hanoi. Danang connects to Hoi An by a huge bridge. Hoi An is an ancient city where embroidery is an art which tell about life and passion. This is a 17^th century tradition and I closely linked with the spiritual history of the women in the past. The people now have production and exhibition center, like the one we visited in Danang, where the specialized ancient Vietnamese embroidery art which carries a theme “Of homeland, of human life.” They consider each artwork a meaningful gift and a luxurious product of interior decoration. As they share these to others, they hope to continually preserve the tradition at the same time wish that it will bring happiness to the families of those who buy their products. We watched as the lady work on the intricate artwork and we were told that a yard of embroidered scenery can be done in six months. This is a done through a series of embroidering steps and the craft woman links threads to connect themselves and the world. To the crafts woman the art is on various steps which include designing the embroidery aesthetics: landscapes, portraits, and still life. This is created where their beliefs and religion, relationships of art and life, fashion, theme of embroidering the homeland, tea ceremony and the design of the picture frame is greatly considered in completing the artwork.

I was so impressed with the artwork and the commitment made towards it’s completion. The experience gave me a different perspective which should guide me when I view a piece of art.

Fabric and life continue to be appreciates as we traveled to the North. Hanoi represents a portion of northern Vietnam, boosting of a rich history and culture, a city of lakes and buildings showing remnants of a historical past. While in Hanoi, two friends recommended a visit to the Silk village in Ha Dong. I was able to visit the area twice. The factory was at the back of most of the shops where locals and tourist frequent. The silk products included their traditional dress, Dao, and contemporary dresses. Shirts, neck ties, pajamas and other night wear, bags, purses, pillow cases, rolls of clothing material abound in the big and small shops. The team had a shopping spree but I had to refrain from buying as I always kept my luggage at the maximum 15 kilos check in with no hand carry.

The weave of life and threads to create an artwork and a usable garment or bag gives a certain meaning to those who know. The value is higher as contrasted to those who buy factory mass produced garments. In the Ha Dong Silk factory, some items were hand embroidered. The tradition of thread and life continue even in the areas where large volume gets produced.

Having seen this, I now appreciate Grail Cawed’s handiwork as it becomes a trademark of Top Skills. She preserves the tradition of beads on fabric. Matok Senga of Abra does the same as she hand embroiders her garments, Narda hand dye her production. The Sagada and Samoki women continue to produce beautiful fabric. I have a wonderful gown from Top Skills and a dress from Aunty Matok, and several items from Narda, Sagada and Samoki. Having gone through the Hoi An experience I would see hand crafted fabric in a different light, it is to preserve craftsmanship and life tradition. Sangal is a Tinguian word for web, in the garment industry; sangal becomes meaningful as it weaves both the material and the non-material aspects of traditional culture. It is to persist amidst all odds which threaten extinction and decay. It is weaving even the past, the present, and the future. As a fabric and an artwork it is never to be divided but held fast. Just like hope and faith. We must be strong in faith despite the odds, undivided by unbelief and completely persuaded that we will see the future. In Romans 4: 20 “Abraham did not waver through unbelief, regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God has power to do what he had promised.”

As we go through life our faith, our culture and traditions are met with opposing ideas, new emerging cultures, and faith expressions. Persistency, unwavering faith, and hope will see us through even into the next generation. Just like a work of ancient Vietnamese art of embroidery, as a Christian Igorot we blend a beautiful fabric of ancient traditions and beliefs, persistently and beautifully becoming part of the present cyberspace age.