Preserving the national spirit through traditional toys.

Every Mid-Autumn Festival, Ong Hao village (Lieu Xa commune, Yen My district, Hung Yen province) bustles with the atmosphere of traditional crafts. Here, family after family, generation after generation, diligently produces simple traditional toys that embody the beautiful cultural values ​​of the nation.

After being covered with paper and dried, the masks are painted and carved with whimsical animal shapes. (Photo: Le Giang)

While modern, attractive toys are constantly being produced, traditional Mid-Autumn Festival toys in Ong Hao village continue to be made, steadfastly preserving the national spirit. For the people here, these products represent their dedication and the art passed down through generations.

skillful hands

According to the elders in the village, the toy-making craft here has existed since around the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Initially, the villagers only made simple toys for local children. However, with skillful hands and creative minds, the artisans in Ong Hao village gradually developed this craft into a large-scale production industry, providing toys that bring joy to millions of children across the country.

Using simple materials like bamboo, reeds, cardboard, and even waste paper, artisans in traditional craft villages "magically" transform them into colorful and eye-catching Mid-Autumn Festival toys.

Papyrus masks are one of the village's most distinctive products. Completing a papyrus mask requires three basic steps: mold making, drying, and painting.

Cement molds are used to create masks that resemble traditional characters from Vietnamese folklore, such as Ông Địa (the Earth God), Chú Tễu (a clown), and whimsical animals.

Then, using natural materials such as cardboard, recycled newspaper, and glue made from cassava starch, each mask is shaped by laminating cardboard and white paper onto a pre-made mold.

Once the masks are prepared, they are taken out to dry in the sun; the drying time depends on the weather.

After drying, the masks are carved with eyes and the painting process begins. This is the stage where the artist "breathes life" into the masks through each brushstroke, with each layer of paint applied continuously and meticulously.

From inanimate materials, through the "magic" of the artisans of Ong Hao village, papier-mâché masks emerge one after another, vivid, charming, and humorous, reflecting the unique and irreplaceable cultural heritage of the Vietnamese people.

Mr. Vu Huy Dong, one of the long-time craftsmen in the village, having experienced many ups and downs in his profession, said that he has always strived to preserve and develop the traditional cultural values ​​left behind by his ancestors.

However, in order to compete with modern toys that have diverse designs and features, Mr. Dong had to constantly innovate and improve his traditional toys to make them increasingly attractive.

The people of Ong Hao craft village are busy preparing goods for the Mid-Autumn Festival. (Photo: Le Giang)

Besides traditional masks featuring characters like Teu, Chi Pheo, and cartoon characters, he regularly updates his product range with popular designs found online to diversify his offerings and cater to customer preferences.

He shared: "To meet current tastes, my family has improved about 20 different designs, incorporating familiar folk imagery or the 12 zodiac animals. Besides that, we always pay attention to harmonizing traditional and modern elements so that new products keep up with trends while still retaining their traditional identity."

Besides masks, drums, a product from the early days of Ong Hao village, are equally famous. These round drums, resembling the full moon of the eighth lunar month, and their lively drumming during lantern processions create a festive atmosphere for the Mid-Autumn Festival, a sound associated with the childhood of many.

Mr. Vu Van Hoi, the third generation of a family with a tradition of drum making, shared: "To make traditional drums, a craftsman needs nearly a year of preparation, making batches this year to last for next year."

He explained that the work usually begins in September. The master craftsmen select and purchase bodhi wood and tallow wood, cut them into sections, carve them, and turn them into drum bodies; they also buy buffalo hide, cut it into even pieces, and soak it in lime water to remove the color for about 5-7 days before taking it out.

During that time, the buffalo hide had to be turned over every 1-2 days so that the lime water would penetrate evenly; otherwise, the hide would become stained. After being removed from the lime water, the buffalo hide was dried, cut into round pieces to make the drumhead, and then assembled with the drum body – this process is called "assembling the drum." Once assembled, the drum was dried again before being painted and decorated with attractive patterns.

A young person in the village is learning to continue the craft. (Photo: Le Giang)

Reviving traditional folk toys.

Another Mid-Autumn Festival has arrived, and traditional folk toys from this small village are being transported to all corners of the country. As the vibrant lanterns illuminate the streets, the lively sounds of drums echo from within the masks, reflecting the enduring and vibrant spirit of the nation.

The toys from Ong Hao village are not just toys; they are symbols of perseverance, creativity, and the preservation of a part of the nation's soul. They also serve as a bridge between generations, bringing joy to children and pride to the artisans.

Despite its long tradition, the Ong Hao craft village is not immune to difficulties in the modern context.

Amidst the strong trend of industrialization, especially with imported products from abroad offering diverse designs and low prices, the traditional toy-making craft is gradually losing attention from the younger generation.

Furthermore, the crafting process is time-consuming and labor-intensive, yet the income is not high, causing many villagers to abandon the craft and seek other jobs.

Mr. Vu Huy Dong, who has been dedicated to the traditional toy-making craft for over 40 years, meticulously "breathes life into his products through each brushstroke." (Photo: Le Giang)

However, nowadays in Ong Hao village, some production facilities have cleverly combined production with hands-on experiences for students and tourists.

Every year, especially as the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, Ong Hao village regularly welcomes groups of domestic and international tourists who come to visit and experience its culture.

Here, visitors are introduced to the craft village, given a tour of the production process, and can participate in some stages of making traditional toys.

Although time passes and life changes, maintaining and developing traditional crafts has become more difficult. However, there are still dedicated artisans like Mr. Dong and Mr. Hoi, who steadfastly preserve their craft, not only for their livelihood but also out of love and a desire to "revive" folk toys, contributing to affirming that culture is the lifeblood of the nation, just as the late General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong once said, "As long as culture exists, the nation exists."

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/giu-hon-dan-toc-qua-do-choi-truyen-thong-286152.html