Hiding in the golden sand of Ninh Thuan, the Cham pottery heritage in Bau Truc pottery village is like an ancient painting, still brilliant and vibrant for hundreds of years under the golden sunshine of Ninh Thuan. The journey to discover this heritage is not only to learn about the history and culture of the Cham people but also an opportunity to enjoy unique ceramic works of art.
UNESCO recognizes Bau Truc pottery village as a world cultural heritage. What is special about Bau Truc pottery village that attracts so many tourists? Let’s explore this ancient art culture with Muine Express!
The origin of Bau Truc pottery – the ancient beauty of the land of sunshine and wind
Bau Truc pottery village is considered one of the oldest and most ancient pottery villages in Southeast Asia. According to the ancients, thousands of years ago, from the ancient Champa period, Mr. and Mrs. Poklong Chanh were the ones who marked the birth of Bau Truc pottery village. They created containers from alluvial soil and developed that pottery craft until today.
Bau Truc Cham pottery is not only a daily product but also a symbol of profound spiritual values. With traditional hand-crafting techniques, ceramic works honor the natural beauty and culture of the Cham people.
How a work of art is created?
The beauty of Bau Truc Cham pottery lies in the sophistication, simplicity and depth in each line. Ceramic products are often decorated with traditional motifs such as images of Champa gods, geometric patterns, and religious symbols. The natural color of the clay combined with traditional firing techniques creates unique and charming ceramic works. Not only that, the raw materials used for Bau Truc pottery are exploited in the Quao River area, where the clay is soft, smooth and has many other special characteristics.
The soil “blossoms” from the hands of artisans
Bau Truc pottery has an unmistakable characteristic. By firing separately, talented artisans have created sophisticated and quality products. Without using turntables like other pottery villages, artisans in Bau Truc village still create beautiful and unique works. Once formed, the pottery is decorated and engraved with simple but attractive patterns, creating a unique highlight for the product.
Unique open-air pottery kiln
Many people were curious when they did not see any kilns in the village. But when asked, the mystery was solved: Here, people use open-air pottery kilns, a unique method that does not require building kilns like other pottery villages. This creates a unique feature that only exists in Bau Truc pottery village.
The way to fire pottery here is extremely simple and rustic. The bottom layer is placed with split firewood, then straw is piled on top and burned. The firing process will last from 6 to 10 hours, depending on the thickness of the product. This creates the uniqueness and appeal of Bau Truc pottery art.
Using special spray colors
Bau Truc ceramic products are all decorated with natural spray colors, extracted from the dong fruit or the star fruit. This creates the characteristic color of Bau Truc ceramics, with red-yellow, pink-red or gray-black tones, along with brown streaks creating a unique and attractive beauty.
To complete the product, creating a shine is the final step. People here use the essence of cashew nuts to brighten and enhance the radiant beauty of Bau Truc pottery before bringing it to the market. This shows the meticulousness and sophistication in every detail of the product, creating the uniqueness and quality of this artistic pottery.
Ninh Thuan Travel Experience
To better understand Bau Truc Cham pottery art, visitors can participate in pottery shaping tutorials, visit traditional pottery workshops and even participate in the production process themselves. With the guidance of talented craftsmen, visitors can create their pottery products according to their wishes.
In addition, learning about the history and culture of the Cham people through museums and historical sites is also an interesting experience. Here, visitors will be able to observe thousands of diverse ceramic products, from kettles, dancers to vases and little monks, … helping you broaden your horizons and inspire the artistic inspiration within each person. When coming here, visitors will have the opportunity to visit many other tourist attractions as well as experience interesting activities such as My Nghiep brocade weaving village about 3 km from Bau Truc pottery village, Charaih Ninh Thuan lotus cultural and ecological tourism area
Conclusion
The Bau Truc Cham ceramic art heritage is not only the pride of the Cham people but also an inseparable part of Vietnamese culture. The journey to explore this pottery village not only brings a deep understanding of traditional art but also an opportunity to enjoy the creativity and uniqueness of the people here.
Come and discover the richness and beauty of Bau Truc Cham ceramic art heritage in Ninh Thuan with Muine Express – a trusted companion on the journey to discover the culture and history of Vietnam and Southeast Asia!
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If you are looking for other exciting experiences, Muine Express has many attractive tours from Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh, Mui Ne, Da Nang and the Northern provinces. Do not hesitate to contact the phone number: +84 982 163 468 (VIE/ENG/RUS) / +84 987 657 369 (RUS) for detailed advice and a personalized itinerary to suit your needs. We are ready to help you discover great destinations and create memorable memories for your trip!
