Discovering Phu Gia: Exploring the Traditional Conical Hat Craft Village

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Binh Dinh, the ancient capital of the Champa Kingdom, not only boasts stunning landscapes like Ky Co, Hon Kho, Eo Gio, Trung Luong... but also preserves many millennia-old cultural features of Champa relics with famous Cham towers, traditional arts like Tuong opera, Bai Choi singing, and the ancient martial arts of Tay Son, as well as traditional craft villages with centuries-old heritage.

Phu Gia Conical Hat Craft Village

Gateway to Phu Gia Conical Hat Craft Village

Master Chanh, silver-capped hat, robe of three stripes
Riding past the village, chasing after maidens…

To produce a complete horse hat, artisans must invest 3 to 5 days or even a month for complex designs. Unlike traditional palm leaf hats, Phu Gia horse hats possess a unique structure. The process to create one involves approximately 10 main stages, including tasks like forming the ribbing, binding the ribs, leaf covering, and embroidering intricate patterns. Ribbing alone takes 1 to 3 days to complete, depending on the level of intricacy.

One of the pivotal stages in crafting Phu Gia horse hats

In the Phu Gia horse hat village, locals utilize three primary materials: kè leaves (palm leaves), giang wood, and pineapple roots. Kè leaves, used for hat covering, must be neither too young nor too old. They are sourced from the Vinh Thanh mountains, Gia Lai, and undergo a process of sun-drying, smoke-drying over charcoal fires, and mist-drying to achieve optimal flexibility. Craftsmen use specialized thin-bladed, long-tongued scissors to cut the leaves into small pieces matching the height of the hat.

Kè leaves used for hat covering

Giang wood is utilized for the ribs of horse hats. Hat makers often seek out fresh giang trees in the An Tuong region or purchase them from the largest hat market in Binh Dinh province – Gò Găng Hat Market. The wood is stripped of bark, sun-dried, finely and evenly split. Horse hats typically have a diameter of about 50 centimeters, with a slant angle of approximately 120 degrees. Pineapple roots, when buried in soil for about 3 years, gain strong durability and resistance to pests. These roots are used to make hat rims and struts.

Framework of horse hats

In ancient tradition, villagers would use the fiber from soaked pineapple leaves, sun-dried for a few days, to embroider hats. However, with modern advancements, fine threads have replaced pineapple fiber to create sharper lines. Embroidery on the hat ribs is done underneath the leaf, making the stitches invisible from the outside. This process requires meticulous skill from the hat makers. Inside the hat, skilled artisans embroider various patterns such as leaves, birds, dragons, unicorns, turtles, phoenixes, in harmonious colors.

Embroidery images inside horse hats

In Phu Gia horse hat village, most villagers embroider two types of horse hats, with varying prices. A regular horse hat has an open top, with a bunch of colorful threads fluttering like flowers on the peak. The price of such hats ranges from 300,000 to 500,000 Vietnamese dong. More eye-catching horse hats feature a silver cap or a cap made of deer leather, or even a copper cap intricately engraved with images of dragons, unicorns, turtles, and phoenixes.

Silver cap (left) and deer leather cap (right)

In addition to regular hats, artisan Do Van Lan has also crafted larger hats for display or exhibition at national handicraft fairs. The most outstanding one is a hat with a diameter of 1 meter, currently exhibited in the hat display area of his family. This is also the largest horse hat in Vietnam, taking about 1 month to complete.

Artisan Do Van Lan, hailed as a master in the craft of making horse hats, has dedicated over 55 years to his trade. Starting at the age of 12, he began learning the art of hat making. He and his wife tirelessly pass on their craft to their daughters and daughters-in-law. He worries about the development and preservation of the craft village as life progresses and young people get caught up in the whirlwind of worries.

The couple, artisans Do Van Lan and Nguyen Thi Tam

In the horse hat craft village of Phu Gia, alongside the prominence of horse hat making, there are still households crafting traditional palm-leaf hats. Almost all the elders in the village know how to make palm-leaf hats. The process of making traditional palm-leaf hats is much simpler compared to making a horse hat.

Wooden frames for shaping the ribs of palm-leaf hats

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Frequently Asked Questions

What unique materials are used to create Phu Gia horse hats?

Phu Gia horse hats are crafted using three primary materials: kè leaves for the hat covering, giang wood for the ribs, and pineapple roots for durability. Kè leaves must be sun-dried and carefully prepared, while giang wood is sourced from specific regions for its strength. Pineapple roots, after three years in soil, provide strong rims and support.

How long does it take to make a Phu Gia horse hat?

Creating a Phu Gia horse hat typically takes between three to five days or even longer, depending on the complexity of the design. The intricate process involves around ten stages, including ribbing, binding, and embroidery, each requiring careful craftsmanship and attention to detail.

What cultural significance do Phu Gia horse hats hold?

Phu Gia horse hats represent a blend of traditional craftsmanship and cultural heritage in Binh Dinh. These hats are not only functional but also showcase the artistic skills of local artisans, preserving the rich history of the Champa Kingdom and the unique identity of the region.

Are there different types of Phu Gia horse hats available?

Yes, Phu Gia horse hats come in various styles. Regular hats have an open top adorned with colorful threads, while more elaborate versions feature silver caps or intricate designs with materials like deer leather. Prices vary based on design complexity and materials used.

How has the craft of hat making in Phu Gia evolved over time?

The craft of hat making in Phu Gia has evolved with modernization while preserving traditional techniques. Artisans now use fine threads for embroidery instead of natural fibers, and they continue to pass down skills through generations, ensuring the craft's survival amidst changing lifestyles.