Incense-making craft of the Nung ethnic minority in Cao Bang

(VOVWORLD) - The craft of producing incense, practiced by the Nung ethnic minority in the northern mountainous province of Cao Bang, has been passed down from generation to generation. Incense sticks are burned on special occasions, like the Lunar New Year festival (Tet).
Incense-making craft of the Nung ethnic minority in Cao Bang - ảnh 1The Nung ethnic minority people, who live in Phia Thap hamlet at the foot of Pha Hung mountain, are renowned for producing agarwood incense sticks.
Incense-making craft of the Nung ethnic minority in Cao Bang - ảnh 2The Nung have practiced their craft for hundreds of years.
Incense-making craft of the Nung ethnic minority in Cao Bang - ảnh 3Their incense sticks are made of natural materials, free of chemicals.
Incense-making craft of the Nung ethnic minority in Cao Bang - ảnh 4Each stick is dipped four times in a mixture of sawdust and agarwood powder.
Incense-making craft of the Nung ethnic minority in Cao Bang - ảnh 5Producing these items requires a keen eye. 
Incense-making craft of the Nung ethnic minority in Cao Bang - ảnh 6Generations of the Nung community have passed the tradition down to younger members. 
Incense-making craft of the Nung ethnic minority in Cao Bang - ảnh 7Vietnamese burn incense on the first and 15th day of every lunar month and on other special occasions, such as an the ancestor’s death anniversary.
Incense-making craft of the Nung ethnic minority in Cao Bang - ảnh 8 The most time-consuming stage of the process is drying the incense. The Nung usually dry sticks at noon, the hottest period of the day. 
Incense-making craft of the Nung ethnic minority in Cao Bang - ảnh 9If it is sunny, the process may take a single day. Otherwise, it could take as much as three days to dry the incense. 
Incense-making craft of the Nung ethnic minority in Cao Bang - ảnh 10Sometimes incense is dried in the kitchen to fulfill a rush order from a customer. 
Incense-making craft of the Nung ethnic minority in Cao Bang - ảnh 11A tourist learns the secrets of making incense.
 
Incense-making craft of the Nung ethnic minority in Cao Bang - ảnh 12The incense of Phia Thap hamlet is famous and in demand throughout Cao Bang and neighbouring provinces.

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