Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has askedthe south central province of Ninh Thuan to compile a dossier on the Champeople’s traditional craft of pottery to apply for UNESCO recognition as anintangible cultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding.
The ministry advised the province to conduct surveys and studies andinvite other localities where Cham people engage in the traditional craft ofpottery to join in creating the dossier.
One of the mostoutstanding features of the Cham people’s traditional pottery making is thetechnique of shaping their wares by hand rather than a wheel and using simpletools or shells to decorate them.
The products are thendried under the sun from four to six hours before being fired outdoors usingstraw or wood.
The skillful hands of theCham people have created a variety of products which they use for their dailyactivities and spiritual worship. Some of their products include cylindricaljars where they keep water or rice, reliefs, decorative lamps, and statuettesof Apsara or Siva Gods.
Their works showcase thecreativity and unique culture of the Cham people.
The pottery making craftof the Cham people in Binh Thuan province and Bau Truc Village in Ninh Thuan hasbeen included in the list of the country’s intangible cultural heritage.
Bau Truc Village is one of the oldestpottery villages in Southeast Asia. About 85 percent of the village’s 400households make pottery.-VNA
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