The meticulous art of making Nung An people’s ‘chup xa’ conical hats

Laughter and chatter fills Hoang Dieu hamlet during farmers’ downtime. The craft of making conical hats here has been passed down for generations, attracting tourists visiting Cao Bang. (Photo: Tuan Anh/VOV)

From their design to the materials and methods used, the Nung An people’s conical hats, also called ‘chup xa’ conical hats, are very different from those made by other ethnic groups. (Photo: Tuan Anh/VOV)

The conical hats are hand-made from bamboo and rattan, also called ‘may than’ by locals, and incorporate bamboo leaves. Large and straight stalks of bamboo with an average diameter of 5-8 centimeters are chosen for the job and grown locally on an area of 1.5 hectares. (Photo: Tuan Anh/VOV)

According to the local elders, the most important step in making a Nung An conical hat is splitting the bamboo into slats. The quality of the slats requires great skill on the part of the hatter. Experienced hatters never use a knife to split the bamboo, they said. In turn, the quality of the slats determines the quality and durability of the final product. (Photo: Tuan Anh/VOV)

The slats are woven into a frame. The frame of a ‘chup xa’ conical hat has two layers, one inside and one outside. (Photo: Tuan Anh/VOV)

The outer layer of the frame must be woven meticulously, so that not a single knot poke out. This affects how the finished hat will look. (Photo: Tuan Anh/VOV)

Bamboo leaves are wrapped into small bundles and dried in the ceiling of the kitchen until they turn brown. In this stage, they no longer hold water and are stretchy. Long and large leaves go in between the two layers of the frame as a cushion. (Photo: Tuan Anh/VOV)

With this cushion, the hat can shield its wearer from the rain and sun. It has, since a long time ago, become a must-have item for Nung people working in the fields. (Photo: Tuan Anh/VOV)

After inserting the in-between layer of bamboo leaves, hatters press the layers together, add a second frame on top for durability, and secure the structure. The finished hats are dried to avoid attracting termites. This also increases their durability. (Photo: Tuan Anh/VOV)

On an average day, local hatter Nong Van Nghiep can only make 4 hats. Preparing necessary materials and making them by hand can take months. The hats don’t sell for much. So, for Mr. Nghiep and 92 other hatters, who are still trying to keep the craft alive, making hats is now something they do on the side during their time away from the fields. (Photo: Tuan Anh/VOV)

Nowadays, there are many other types of hats on the market that consumers can buy for cheap. There is a fear that the conical hat of the Nung An is slowly fading into the past as the number of young people wanting to preserve the traditional craft dwindles. (Photo: Tuan Anh/VOV)

However, there are still those who, day by day, make the ‘chup xa’ hats that embody the charm of the Nung An ethnic minority. (Photo: Tuan Anh/VOV)

Known for their diligence, most Nung An people are skilled craftsmen. With its unique weaving technique, the ‘chup xa’ conical hat is an unmistakable feature of their identity. (Photo: Tuan Anh/VOV)

The meticulous art of making Nung An people’s ‘chup xa’ conical hats

07-01-2024 19:35

(VOVWORLD) - For generations the Nung An ethnic minority people in Hoang Dieu hamlet, Cao Bang province, have been known for their craft of making ‘chup xa’ conical hats. These unique hats still retain their simple and rustic beauty, as do the people here.