Residents of Dong Ho, a village famouse for its wood-cut prints, now work on joss paper products in preparation for the day celebrating the Kitchen God.
This time of year, horses, cars and motorbikes are made out of joss paper, and are available on every corner of the village. These products are ceremoniously burned for ancestors in the afterlife.
Craftsman Nguyen Huu Sam said that in the past Dong Ho was famous for its unique paintings, but joss paper production has appeared in the last 20 years. Since fewer people buy the paintings that have made the village famous, there has been a shift towards joss paper products. At present there are only two families in the village who maintain the traditional print making traditions.
A majority of the village houses show advertisements for joss paper products. These changes gloss over and conceal the old traditions of Dong Ho folk paintings.
Sam’s daughter, Oanh, says that joss paper production keeps almost the entire village busy throughout the year. These products sell very well during the Ghost Festival and the day of the Kitchen God. The young people occupy themselves by delivering these goods for wholesale distribution throughout the region.
Nguyen Ngoc Thai, a villager, says that in the past, the people of Dong Ho made clothes, headwear and raised carp to sell for the day of Kitchen God. But the rising demand for votive offerings has changed the practices in the village. Now they make paper televisions, phones and even airplanes, meant to be burned in the ceremonial fire.
Mr. Thai’s family specialised in creating specific motorbikes made from joss paper - Honda Dreams, Waves, Futures, SHs. These fetch around VND150,000 (USD7.5) each. Making these products can take as much skill as the production of the old Dong Ho prints.
Lares’ day comes on the 23rd day of the lunar month, which will fall on January 26 this year.
Hanoians spent around VND400 billion (USD20 million) per year on joss papers for over the past seven years, according to unofficial statistics. The change may be due to a general rise in the standard of living.
Images from Dong Ho village:
Carrying joss paper boats to the market
Old woman making items of joss
Children join in
Imperial boat of joss
Horse ready to be sold and burned
Forming a paper horse
Proud of his joss elephant
A (Honda) Dream destined to burn
An SH motorbike bound for the afterlife
Cars with various designs
Appliances and computers for Kitchen God
A washing machine with a two-year guaranty
Paper mobiles and watches
Making joss paper shoes
Joss paper hats drying for the day of Lares
Overloading
Leave your comment on this story