A collection of ancient dresses made from tree bark has been found
in Quang Tri Province. It is believed that is a relic of the Van
Kieu, one of the Vietnamese ethnic minorities in the Central
Highlands.
According to experts, making a tree dress is very difficult. First,
skilful artisan is chosen to get the bark from the Pi, a tree in the
Central Highlands. He would not chop down the tree, just pare round
it and take a layer of bark.
At home, the artisan's partner prepared cask of boiling water, with
spices such as ginger, sugar-cane, and citronella. The tree skin
would then be soaked in the water in 10 days to release its poisons.
It would then be dried for a week and restored. On the 14th day of a
lunar month, people would take it and sew into clothing.
Sounds fascinating! I'm intrigued by the references to "poisons" (?)
and to the "ritual" aspect of choosing a particular day to work on
the project.
http://english.vietnamnet.vn/lifestyle/2006/01/534345/
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O Chris Laning <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> - Davis, California
+ http://paternoster-row.org - http://paternosters.blogspot.com
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