New vitality in Chau Phong Cham village

Preserving traditional professions, opening new livelihoods

Traveling nearly 100 kilometers, we arrived at Chau Phong commune. At dawn in Phum Soai hamlet, in the airy stilt house, the clacking sound of the loom echoed, weaving the colors of many generations. For more than 20 years, Mrs. Hasanad has been diligently working at the loom, her hands deftly creating colorful brocade products. Mrs. Hasanad said that in the past, weaving was only to preserve the old traditions of her grandparents, the products were sold in the village, the income was not worth much. In recent years, thanks to the support of the locality in promoting, bringing products to fairs and connecting with tourists , the craft village has begun to flourish. "Thanks to weaving, my family has a stable income, and my children can go to school. The most precious thing is that the villagers keep the profession of their ancestors," Mrs. Hasanad smiled brightly.

Tourists experience wearing traditional costumes of the Cham people. Photo: DANH THANH

Not only stopping at weaving for retail, many Cham households have boldly built craft villages associated with tourism development, gradually turning brocade products into local specialties, opening up a new direction for the economy . Brocade scarves and handbags now both retain the ancient spirit and are designed in a modern way, meeting the tastes of young people. In 2024, the commune launched the Cham Village Community Tourism Cooperative. This is a new step to exploit the unique cultural potential of the people. Mr. Mohamad - owner of the traditional brocade weaving facility of the Cham village said: "Associating weaving with community tourism development opens up new opportunities, both creating additional income and promoting Cham culture to friends near and far. Weaving is no longer a matter of preserving the profession of grandparents but has become a sustainable livelihood, helping people have a better life."

Not only weaving, many Cham households in Chau Phong have also shifted to raising livestock, growing crops, and developing tourism services. Stories of economic development and getting rich are gradually becoming familiar in Chau Phong, demonstrating a positive change in the business mindset of the people. "The lives of Cham people in Phum Soai hamlet have improved, the poverty rate has decreased year by year; households have jobs and stable incomes. Thanks to that, Cham people increasingly trust the leadership of the Party and the State", said Head of the People's Committee of Phum Soai hamlet Sales.

Accompanying change

Chau Phong commune was formed on the basis of merging 3 communes Phu Vinh, Le Chanh and Chau Phong (old). The whole commune currently has more than 12,800 households, of which Cham people account for more than 1,260 households, mainly concentrated in Phum Soai and Chau Giang hamlets. Implementing the national target program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas by 2025, Chau Phong commune has deployed many practical projects and tasks to improve the material and spiritual life of Cham people.

At the same time, the commune also focuses on education and vocational training. The commune has opened 11 literacy classes, organized 24 propaganda and job counseling sessions, attracting nearly 2,600 participants, and opened 13 elementary vocational training classes for 390 students, helping many workers gain more skills, opportunities to find stable jobs, improve income and gradually escape poverty sustainably..., with a total cost of more than 172 million VND. "In recent years, with the attention of the commune, the Cham people have organized solemn and joyful traditional festivals. In particular, the rate of Cham students going to school at the right age has increased, contributing to improving people's knowledge and preserving the learning tradition in the community," said the Head of the People's Committee of Phum Soai Sales Hamlet.

According to Vice Chairman of Chau Phong Commune People's Committee Nguyen Van Hop, the national target program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas has really contributed to improving the material and spiritual life of Cham people. Many urgent issues such as employment, housing, domestic water or preserving traditional cultural values have been promptly resolved, creating a new and prosperous appearance for ethnic minority areas. "In the coming time, the commune will continue to review and effectively implement the contents of the program to ensure publicity and democracy so that people can enjoy the policies of the Party and the State. The program will promote the spirit of self-reliance and efforts of the people, thereby creating a driving force for sustainable development," said Mr. Nguyen Van Hop.

From the capital of the national target program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, Chau Phong commune has supported the construction of 10 houses for poor Cham households, invested in 200 solar-powered lamp posts and 100 trash bins; repaired a new set of Rappana drums; built public toilets and bridges at the tourist site of the traditional brocade weaving facility of the Cham village..., with a total cost of more than 2.7 billion VND.

FAMOUS CITY

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/suc-song-moi-o-lang-cham-chau-phong-a463436.html