Thu Lao people's masterpiece recorded in Vietnam Guinness

“Si Ma Cai – The scent of the highlands” – a hand-embroidered painting by the Thu Lao community (Lao Cai) has recently been recognized in the Guinness Vietnam Records.

The hand-woven masterpiece “Si Ma Cai – Highland Fragrance” was recognized as a Vietnamese Record.

The Vietnam Book of Records has confirmed the entry of the work “Si Ma Cai - The scent of the highlands” into the Vietnam Record. The hand-embroidered painting was made by 30 artisans from Thu Lao (Si Ma Cai district, Lao Cai province) continuously over the past 3 months.

The 12.5m2 wide painting made of linen fabric depicts the diverse culture of the community of 15 ethnic groups living together in solidarity in the Si Ma Cai mountain area. Interesting traditional activities and customs are clearly described such as costumes, houses, festivals, markets, folk rituals, and typical heritage. The background of the painting is a majestic mountain landscape, surrounded by terraced fields, ancient rammed earth houses, etc.

The Thu Lao community (about 1,000 people) has a rather closed lifestyle with the outside world in the two districts of Si Ma Cai and Muong Khuong (Lao Cai), classified as a Tay ethnic group but has a different language, currently not registered as a separate ethnic group. Worshiping the Forest God and Ancestors is the biggest ritual of the Thu Lao people. Residing in the difficult highlands, life is still largely self-sufficient, so the Thu Lao people still grow cotton and weave, so the weaving profession is still passed down to this day. Hand-woven products (from native flax bark) of Thu Lao women are embroidered, dyed indigo and decorated with quite elaborate motifs.

Talking to Dai Doan Ket reporter, Mr. Phung Minh Thang - Head of the Culture Department of Si Ma Cai district, said that Lao Cai province has 41 national heritages, of which 14 heritages are related to traditional handicrafts of ethnic minorities. "Si Ma Cai - The scent of the highlands" was completed with the desire to preserve and promote the unique cultural features here. Registering the record for the painting is an important milestone in promoting the beauty of the people and land of Si Ma Cai. Last year, the traditional weaving craft of the Thu Lao people was recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. The unique handcrafted products with very high indigenous value have become a cultural resource in the orientation of tourism and economic development of localities in Lao Cai. The weaving products of the Thu Lao people are very popular with tourists. However, Lao Cai, like many other localities, is facing difficulties in preserving and developing handicrafts when industrial products are in fierce competition.

Source: https://daidoanket.vn/sieu-pham-cua-nguoi-thu-lao-ghi-danh-guinness-viet-nam-10298632.html