Enhancing value of Bau Truc pottery

An advanced training class on pottery skills for Cham people was recently held in Bau Truc pottery village (Ninh Phuoc Commune). The class aims to help Cham artisans create increasingly beautiful products.

Preserving the craft and improving pottery techniques

30 female artisans of various ages participated in the class with the desire to improve their craftsmanship and create products with diverse designs and patterns. "Attending the class, we are taught every stage of pottery making, from kneading the clay and removing impurities to shaping, smoothing, carving designs, adding decorative details, and parching. To ensure beauty of the products, the clay must be sourced from the Quao River and sand from the Lu River," said Dang Thi Chieu, a 50-year-old artisan.
 

Sculptor Doan Xuan Hung instructing an artisan to carve patterns on pottery

The unique and distinctive feature of Bau Truc pottery is not using pottery wheel to shape clay. Artisan Dang Thi Tam, 75 years old, was taught pottery making by her mother when she a child and has dedicated over 50 years to the craft. In the past, her family produced simple items for everyday use such as pots, water jars and rice containers. Over time, they expanded into artistic products, including flower vases, statues and models of Cham towers. As said by Tam, pottery techniques have traditionally been passed down within families; therefore, such training courses are necessary for helping artisans improve their skills.

Reportedly, Bau Truc village currently has over 500 households engaged in the craft. Since 2000, besides household, the village has developed decorative pottery. In order to help artisans to innovate and create diverse patterns and designs that better meet modern market demands, these vocational training and advanced skill classes are essential. These efforts will help preserve and promote the craft village.

Contributing to promotion of heritage value

The art of pottery making of Cham people involves traditional handcraft techniques using simple tools. Knowledge and skills of the craft are passed down through families, clans and the community. Over time, Bau Truc pottery craft has been facing many challenges in its preservation and growth. This requires an innovation so that pottery products can retain their traditional features while becoming better in quality and more aesthetically pleasing to meet diverse consumer demands. Training classes for beginners and advanced classes to sharpen the expertise of experienced artisans are essential. This is also a practical solution to implement the national action plan to protect and promote the intangible cultural heritage of Cham pottery. These efforts also help preserve and develop the traditional craft, encourage creativity and balance tradition with modernity. 

Artisans making fine art pottery

“Bau Truc pottery artisans created items of unique value, not only in Vietnam but also across Southeast Asia. The artisans have high levels of skill and expertise. However, traditional Bau Truc products still lack variety in designs, shapes and patterns. Although local people have taken the initiative to create fine art pottery, these efforts are spontaneous. Therefore, as an instructor, I try to provide artisans and potters with the knowledge and skills to enhance the technical and aesthetic quality of each item, especially creativity to produce unique items that have appeal for consumers,” said Sculptor Doan Xuan Hung, the instructor of the training class.

GIANG DINH
Translated by H.N