Weaving hammocks from tree bark on Cu Lao Cham Island

Quang Nam Mrs. Le Thi Ke, 83 years old, on Cu Lao Cham island meticulously weaved a hammock from the bark of a parasol tree in two months, selling it for 12-15 million VND.

The end of November is the low tourist season in Cu Lao Cham Island, Tan Hiep Commune, Hoi An City, so there are few tourists. Mrs. Le Thi Ke, carrying a bundle of ivory-white corn fibers and a knife, sits weaving a hammock in front of her house. Her hands deftly twist each string tightly together, forming successive diamond shapes.

Mrs. Le Thi Ke has been weaving hammocks from parasol tree bark for over 50 years. Photo: Son Thuy

With more than 50 years of experience, he measured the distance between the cells by hand, but it was as neat as a weaving machine. After nearly a month, the hammock was completed, more than a meter long, without any ties or joints, the rope was not frayed but tightly wound. This is the distinguishing feature of the parasol hammock compared to other types of hammocks.

Mrs. Ke was from the mainland of Hoi An. In 1962, she married a man on the outpost island of Cu Lao Cham, about 15 km from shore. She learned the craft of weaving hammocks from parasol trees through her mother-in-law's instruction.

Only those who follow the profession understand the elaborate process of making a hammock. "To weave a beautiful hammock, you cannot do it quickly. This profession is more suitable for older people because it requires strict technical requirements in weaving stitches and sewing lines, requiring perseverance and meticulousness," he shared.

Having worked for 10 years on Cu Lao Cham Island, Ms. Huynh Thi Ut said that there are two types of cotton hammocks: 4-strand and 6-strand (the distance between two bundles is 4-6 strands). The weaver must both twist and smooth the strands so that they are tightly tied together, without any bumps or rough joints. When weaving, the weaver must keep the spacing so that the squares are even, and each knot is tight and firm so that there is no slack.

The 56-year-old woman said that hammocks are handmade, so one has to "look at them, learn them, and rely on each person's skill. One cannot hold their hand and show them each stitch."

Every year in July, the royal poinciana flowers on Cu Lao Cham Island bloom in orange-red. Photo: Son Thuy

On the island, there are many parasol trees growing on the rocky mountains. From April to July is the season when parasol flowers bloom. People go to the forest to find and choose parasol trees and branches as big as a wrist, then cut off the leaves and take the straight trunk.

The tree trunk is crushed, the bark is removed, and soaked in spring water. In the summer, it is soaked for half a month, in the winter for more than 20 days, then taken out and washed. The craftsman chooses the inner bark, which is opaque white, called "manh dong". Manh dong is stripped into small fibers, dried until white, and used to weave hammocks.

Mr. Ke explained that cutting down the parasol tree does not harm the forest. In the summer, the tree sheds its leaves, flowers, and then bears fruit. When the fruit falls, young trees grow everywhere, and when they are about three years old, people cut them down to get their bark. "From the cut tree stump, 3-4 new shoots will grow, and grow into young trees when the rainy season comes," he said.

It took Ms. Huynh Thi Ut nearly half a month to weave half of the hammock. Photo: Son Thuy

It took two months to complete the 2.6-meter hammock, not including the time to prepare the materials. The hammock can be used for 20 years, and when it gets dirty, it can be washed and dried.

Previously, hammocks made from woven parasol trees were often sold to locals. Since the island has developed tourism, many domestic and foreign tourists have bought hammocks for 10-15 million VND each. "Each hammock does not bring in high income compared to the effort put in. But once you do the job, you cannot give it up. Every day when you don't weave, you miss it and can't sit still," said Ms. Huynh Thi Ut.

The people who weave the parasol hammocks do not know when this profession began, but they know that it has been passed down through many generations. Many people have switched to other professions with higher incomes when Cu Lao Cham Island welcomed more tourists. Currently, there are only five old people on the island making hammocks and passing on the profession to some young people.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Duc, Vice Chairman of Tan Hiep Commune, said that the hammock making profession is gradually disappearing, so the government has opened classes to teach the younger generation, while also encouraging product diversity and creating space for tourists to experience the traditional profession when coming to the island.

Son Thuy

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