The patterns on traditional Bahnar costumes are a combination of many different motifs. To create patterns when weaving, the weaver must count and calculate precisely down to each horizontal and vertical thread to create the pattern, with some motifs only about the size of one or two grains of rice. The basic small patterns are combined repeatedly, forming large, symmetrical patterns with typical colors of the Bahnar people such as yellow, red, indigo, black - colors extracted from local materials such as stream snail shells, forest tubers, leaves, etc. Weaving knowledge lies not only in the way of creating shapes but also in the way of combining patterns on each corresponding costume, requiring the practitioner's planning and concentration from the time of stretching the thread frame until the completion of the fabric. This process can last from about two weeks to a month, depending on the fabric size and weaving time in a day.

Weaving and pattern-making techniques are passed down from the older women in the family to their children, mostly women, mainly by word of mouth and by hand-holding. Under the guidance of two skilled weavers – Ms. Dinh Thi Lam and Ms. Dinh Thi Hien, young women Dinh Thi Khoc, Dinh Thi Men and Dinh Thi Diu at Mo H'ra have sketched some of the patterns commonly used on traditional costumes. Through the process of redrawing, young women at Mo H'ra who do not know how to weave have more opportunities to observe and feel the shaping and the rules of combining patterns to create motifs on headscarves, shirts, loincloths, hot-bang skirts, etc. 

Love to share:

“At first, just looking at the patterns on the textile sample made it very difficult to draw. Later, with the help of the teachers, drawing became easier. There were some patterns that I didn’t know how to draw, so I asked the teachers. There were some words that the teachers didn’t know in Mandarin, so I could help them.”

The patterns on traditional Bahnar textiles are so detailed that seeing and sketching them is a challenge for the young women in the village. Although the artisans can weave the patterns by counting the threads, they find it difficult to draw them on paper with a pen. It is easier when the female artisans and the young people draw together – the young people constantly compare and ask the female artisans for their opinions to ensure the similarity between the drawing and the weaving pattern. When finished, everyone is satisfied with their work and understands more about the traditional weaving method, which until now the young people have only had the opportunity to learn through direct practice. 

Dear:

“After finishing the drawings, I understand more about the names of the patterns and their meanings so that when I have the opportunity to introduce brocade products, it is easier for me to share with tourists.”In this series of documents, the illustrations are accompanied by the names and application positions of each pattern in traditional Bahnar costumes. In the near future, Ms. Dinh Thi Lam and Ms. Dinh Thi Hien will organize a weaving class for young people in the village. These drawings are an opportunity for young women to refer to and compare when approaching real weaving patterns, so that they can grasp the thinking about beauty from familiar and close images in Bahnar culture. 

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