CONSERVATING AND DEVELOPING THE GIANG PAPER MAKING PROFESSION OF THE MONG ETHNIC GROUP IN PA CO COMMUNE, MAI CHAU DISTRICT, HOA BINH PROVINCE

Abstract

In our country, there are many ethnic groups making dó paper, bản paper, such as the Kinh, Muong, Cao Lan, Nung... Each ethnic group has materials, exploiting process, procession, paper-making techniques and using different paper. For the Mong ethnic group in Pa Co commune, Mai Chau district, Hoa Binh province, the raw material for making paper is the bamboo tree, so it is also known as giang paper. In order to make tough, durable and beautiful paper, the people must accumulate a lot of experience in the process of selecting, exploiting, processing raw materials and “esoteric” paper-making techniques, because it goes through many stages and requires workers to be meticulous to do it. Giang paper of the Mong ethnic group is mainly used in rituals associated with festivals, funerals, and ancestor worship (ghosts of the house). Giang paper has been ordered by art circles in Hanoi for painting and sketching, and Pa Co commune has become a very attractive community-based tourist attraction in recent years.