Preserving the Art of Basket Weaving Among the M’nông People

Preserving a Traditional Craft

For generations, the M’nông ethnic community living along the poetic Krong No River has preserved many cultural traditions such as brocade weaving, gong culture, and bamboo rattan craftsmanship. With remarkable skill and artistry, M’nông men in Dam Rong 4 commune have crafted woven backpacks (gui) in various patterns and sizes to serve their families’ daily self-sufficient needs. Notably, the gui products from Lieng Trang hamlet in Dam Rong 4 have even reached the market, proudly certified as a 3-star OCOP product.

According to Mr. Cil Nếu – Head of the Lieng Trang Bamboo & Rattan Handicraft Cooperative Group – gui weaving was once mainly for carrying tools and transporting harvested crops from the fields. Today, with the growth of tourism, the gui has become a marketable product, generating additional income for local people. Seizing this opportunity, the cooperative was established in September 2024 with five members, mostly elders deeply knowledgeable and experienced in traditional weaving.

During his free time between farming seasons, Mr. Liêng Jrang Ha Krai – a cooperative member – can be seen diligently working with strips of bamboo to weave gui for both family use and sale at local souvenir stalls. Having learned the craft at the age of 15, he now has nearly 50 years of experience, allowing him to work with remarkable dexterity. Each year, he produces roughly 50 to 60 gui.

He shares that to create a gui that is both beautiful and durable, men in the village typically go into the mountains at dawn around July (solar calendar) to carefully select mature bamboo that is neither too old nor too young—with long nodes being essential. This is one of the most critical steps determining the durability of the finished product. If the bamboo is too old, the strips become brittle—especially in the dry season. If it is too young, the fiber shrinks after splitting, creating unwanted gaps. Splitting the bamboo also requires great precision: the strips must not be too thin or too thick, and they must be kept at the right moisture level—too dry, and they snap easily and are difficult to weave.

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Since I was young, my father always reminded me never to give up this craft, no matter what — because it is the tradition of our people. He was the one who taught me how to align each bamboo strip with precision and beauty. I take great pride in preserving this traditional craft so that I can pass it on to future generations.

Mr. Liêng Jrang Ha Krai, member of the Lieng Trang Bamboo & Rattan Handicraft Cooperative

Turning the Gui into a Tourism Product

In the past, the M’nông people used the gui purely for daily life. But as tourism and commerce evolved, local artisans began adding creative patterns — keeping the ethnic identity intact while adapting to modern tastes. A sophisticated gui can take up to a week to complete and is currently sold for 500,000–700,000 VND each, depending on size and design. According to Mr. Cil Nếu, income from sales is still modest as weaving is mainly done during farming downtime. What he values most is the preservation of the ancestral craft — ensuring it is never lost.

Mr. Nguyen Van Quang, Vice Chairman of the Dam Rong 4 Commune People’s Committee, said that in recent years, local authorities have placed strong emphasis on safeguarding and promoting traditional cultural values. The Lieng Trang gui has been recognized as a 3-star OCOP product by the former Dam Rong District, contributing not only to preserving the cultural identity of Central Highlands ethnic communities but also to generating practical livelihood benefits for residents.

In the time ahead, Dam Rong 4 Commune will continue to promote ethnic cultural values, while actively showcasing and marketing its unique local products to tourists and other regions to expand market reach. The commune also plans to organize weaving training classes — especially for the younger generation — with hands-on instruction from members of the Lieng Trang Bamboo & Rattan Cooperative, aiming to create new products that align with evolving market demands.