Local flavor

Paper drum making on the brink of dying out

Nguyen Van Huong is the only artisan in Bao Dap craft village, Nam Dinh province, who has been making “trong boi” (paper drums) for the past 50 years.

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24 August, 2022

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paper drum making on the brink of dying out picture 2 — The toy has long been hugely popular among children when national festivals, especially the Autumn Festival or Full-Moon Festival that falls on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, are in full swing.

paper drum making on the brink of dying out picture 3 — In the past, the craft created the village’s primary source of income as the toy is used by children during festivals taking place all year round, including the Mid-Autumn festival.

paper drum making on the brink of dying out picture 4 — However, the import of flashy toys over recent years has dealt a heavy blow to the traditional business in the village. Local craftsmen turn to making star-shaped lanterns for the Mid-Autumn Festival because they are typically easier to sell.

paper drum making on the brink of dying out picture 5 — Despite enduring plenty of ups and downs, Nguyen Van Huong, 62, still continues to pursue the trade.

paper drum making on the brink of dying out picture 6 — Just like other traditional toys, the trong boi represents a modest and beautiful item. The materials are cheap and easy to find, such as clay, bamboo splints, plastic sticks, and paper.

paper drum making on the brink of dying out picture 7 — The artisan says he collects clay in the morning and makes small circular frames before drying them until they becomes hard like bricks.

paper drum making on the brink of dying out picture 8 — The frames are then covered by pink or red paper with rice glue. The most important part of the process is to ensure that there are no gaps between the paper and the frames.

paper drum making on the brink of dying out picture 9 — A drumstick made from bamboo only slightly bigger than a toothpick is tied to the tiny double-faced drum and the handle. When the handle is rotated, the drumstick then beats onto the drum skin.

paper drum making on the brink of dying out picture 10

paper drum making on the brink of dying out picture 11 — Huong says his family usually sells these products to a number of wholesalers from major cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

paper drum making on the brink of dying out picture 12

paper drum making on the brink of dying out picture 13 — They can produce roughly 30,000 items each year.

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