ALL
traditional basket
ICH Elements 8
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Num Banhchok (Khmer noddle)
“Num Banh Chok” is an important and popular traditional food because we often see Num Banh Chok being chosen to serve guests at various festivals. More importantly, there are some festivals such as DaLean, Bon Phum, Bon Leang Neak Ta, etc. The locals who come together for the festival always make Num Banh Chok at their own houses and then bring it as “a contribution to the festival” and eat together at ceremony. As a result, most farmers know how to make noodles. The rice used to make the noodles is a kind of Ksai rice grain and a kind of hard rice. First, the rice is soaked to make it soft and easy to grind. The rice is then washed and re-soaked in water, then grind with a mortar until it become flour. The flour is too liquid to make noodle. So, the flour is wrapped in a thin cloth and pressed with stones or heavy objects to drain the water until it hardens. The flour is covered with a cloth or thin fabric and boiled in hot water, but not too hot (about 50% boiled or called Krasang shell), then the flour is extracted and hit the mortar (now made by machine) until the flour mix well. The flour is then rolled into round long pieces according to the Pen. Pen of noodles is made of copper or Tung Deng with small holes to press the flour into noodles. The flour is then put in a Pen and press on the pen, and the noodles will fall into the boiling water. As the dough falls into the pot of hot water, a stick is used to stir and cut the front of the pen hole to cut off the noodles so that they are not too long. When it is cooked enough, the noodle is taken using a basket to wash and soak in fresh water. In the last step, the noodle is extracted from the water and placed in a basket to dry. They usually do not eat just noodles; they usually eat with soup by having many types of vegetables sprinkled on top or under the noodles. There are many kinds of soups such as Somlor Bror Her (called Khmer Soup), Somlor Kari, Somlor Namya. In addition, the noodle can be eaten with sweet-fish sauce with vegetable. But for the villagers, the so-called Somlor Num Banh Chok is Somlor Bror Her, and Somlor Kari and Namya are very rare, except for those who live in the town or city.
Cambodia -
MOHIDORI mohigiri
Traditional skills of fishing. Tajik people have several traditional methods of fishing with special tools such as net, basket, chach, fishing line and etc.
Tajikistan -
Pithi Leang Arak (The Medium Spirit Ritual)
In traditional Khmer belief, "The Medium" refers to ghosts that have spiritual power and often live in seas, rivers, lakes, creeks, streams, and ponds. Others live in trees, bushes, and mountains, and have their own more or less power. When traveling in the forest or crossing the lake, travelers must mind their words and speak carefully because some words may interrupt or annoy the spirits guarding the place, yet it will cause illness or other disasters. Another type of ghost refers to the souls of ancestors who are believed to be dead, but the soul or spirit does not die with the body. They are around to help take care of and protect children, but sometimes those souls are also angry and punish their children if they make a mistake and do something wrong. It is believed that if a person is “Arak Kach” there are weird signs such as the person is sick, trembling with fear, mouth paralysis slurred speech, or inability to walk…etc.) Although today's society is evolving to a more modern level, including modern medicine, Cambodians, especially those living in remote areas, are still seeking traditional treatment such as ghost possession. Therefore, if there are any disasters such as disease, eradication, drought, or lost cattle, and lost property for no reason, the locals will seek help from “Kru Hmor” to predict or use a method called “Bol” or summon a spirit called “Ban Jorn Arak”, each of the methods can tell the locals about a root cause behind the incidents that happened. After they found out the cause, they had to organize a "Leang Arak" ceremony, or “Ban Jorn Roub” and make an offering for Arak spirits to keep a promise. In some areas, when a male or female is possessed by a spirit, people believe that the spirit is an Arak. But in other areas, such as in the north of Siem Reap, Angkor people called a spirit that possesses a male and female body differently. If the spirit possesses a male body is called Arak, whereas a spirit that possesses a female body is called "Memot". That is why sometimes we hear people call "Pithi Leang Arak" and sometimes we hear "Pithi Leang Memot". The ritual is organized by an individual, a family, or a community to pray for a well-being for everyone. As for the date, protocol, and agenda in Pithi “Leang Arak”, we observe that they vary slightly from region to region. As mentioned above, the residents of Angkor (north against Phnom Kulen and south against Tonle Sap Lake), especially the village north of Angkor Thom (Nokor village, Pronit village, Prasatchar village, Phlong village, village Leang Dai, Daun Ov village, Tak village and Samrong village, etc.) call a spirit possesses male body is called Arak, whereas a spirit that possesses a female body called "Memot", but from time to time, we also see one or two Arak spirits to join Leang Memot with Memot spirit too. The locals in this area hold this ritual once a year, during Meak month to commemorate the Memot, who helps to cure the villagers' illnesses and make them happy. The ritual was held with ten to fifteen people who are ready to be possessed by Memot and one Memot Master. Locals believe that each person has her own birth teacher spirit “Kru Komnert” who looks after her life. Therefore, they have to install an altar and prepare offerings or Jorm Komnert for the spirit. Some install the altar on the head of the bed. There are two types of Jorm Komnert, one is made of a ripe coconut and another is made of carved wood with legs in the shape of monkeys and other animals. During the Leang Memot, participants have to bring Jorm Kru Komnert and Jorm Memot to put on a tray together. For those who have just joined or their, Jorm is torn and old, they have to make a new one that day before the ritual begins. The offerings and utensils were also prepared on the day of the ritual, including a basket of rice for storing rice, and on the basket of rice was a tray of offerings such as a banana, orange juice, fruit juice, water perfume, ten incense sticks, five candles, cigarettes, Mlu, Sla, Bay Srey Pak Cham. These items are stacked under the tray of Jorms, which is placed in front of their respective seats. At around 7 pm, the Leang Memot ritual begins. At that time, the Arak music band began to pay homage and then began to play music for Main Memot to possess the body. After playing two or three songs, the Memot spirit begins to possess and make strange gestures, some wearing a scarf on his head or tying his waist, while others wear a skirt (usually a Hol), pulling a sword or carrying a pole to dance rheumatically, the locals realized that the Arak spirit is possessing Memot body, so they shouted and clapped their hands to make the Memot dance happily, it continued until 11 PM which made the ritual very noisy. Until all the bodies are possessed by Memot, they would together joyfully. Finally, Memot Thom prays, then the villagers take the offerings “Pe Sam Neann” (Offering) and throw them away in order to avoid any misfortune or other diseases. In other parts of the region, Leak Arak ritual may be held in private, arranged by relatives of a patient in order to find out the root cause of the sickness. The most common offerings are Bay Sey, Sla Tor, Pe, candles, incense sticks, and flowers. The food offerings include rice, soup, bananas, boiled chicken and pork heads...etc. In addition, there is an Arak music band, and especially there is a messenger called “Snom”, a woman who interrogates and interprets to the spirits that possess the body and she also helps facilitate the ritual. When the ritual begins, Arak music is played to summon the spirit to possess the body. When the spirit possessed the body, the woman start to ask questions and find the root cause of the sickness. What has the patient done wrong? and plead the spirit to cure the patient with a promise to offer a steam chicken and port head to let the demons help heal the sick by promising a rooster, a pig's head, offering music, or whatever the ghost commands.
Cambodia -
Tbanh Roessei (Bamboo Weaving)
Bamboo weaving is a traditional business and an extra earn income besides farming for farmers. Everyday use tools are woven from bamboo (local bamboo and Pingpong bamboo) including varieties of baskets like Chang-er, La ey, Tao, Kanhjer, Kanhche, Kanh Jreng, Jeal, Kantrok, Kongtrong Brohotk...etc. There are also bamboo fishing gear such as Chhneang, Angrut, Lop, Tru, Proul and so on. Some tools’ names are found in ancient inscriptions, for example, Residents in Banteay Meanchey Province. The word "Chhneang" is found in the K.56 inscriptions, 10th century, "Kanh" (basket) is found in the K. 353 and K. 158 inscriptions, 11th century, "Kcheang" (basket) in the K. 353 inscription, 11th century, and so on. It takes a lot of effort and time to make each tool. They first have to cut bamboo trees and cut them into pieces before thinning them into strips. Strips’ sizes or shapes are made according to the materials which needed to be made. The strips are then soaked in water for 2 to 3 days protecting them from worms called (Proy) before starting to weave as a tool. Today, although some appliances are made of plastic from the factory, all those traditional tools are still popular with Cambodians.
Cambodia -
Traditional Fijian Bread - Madrainiviti
The word ‘madrai’ is an old fijian terminology refereing to a traditional food with its unique process, prepared at particular seasons, and certain parts of Fiji regard it as traditonal obligations. The vanua Nabulebulewa at Qoma island Fiji are fisherfolks, and part of their traditional role is the presentation of turtle accomapnied with a basket of madrainiviti. Sailasa Naisele of Qoma mentioned the word ‘madrã’ is a verb, meaning to pinch out madrainiviti from the davuke (food pit) while leaving the rest for later. Traditional fermented bread in Fiji has significantly declined over the years. This is different from the bread also called madrai which is baked and sold nowadays. Before the introduction of wheat bread, our forefathers were already enjoying their traditional bread. Upon its arrival and its wide consumption, the wheat bread now adopts the name madrai while the traditional bread has extended its name into madrainiviti. Fermanted fruits and crops are preserved food for post-disasters and food sacristy (Dau, 1986), also for drought and can be preserved up to 4 years (Pollock, 1984). Bread fermentation varies in Fiji. Bila (fermentaed cassava) and sikiviro (fermented Tahitian chestnuts) are commonly practiced for commercial purpose nowadays.
Fiji -
Whale Worship Festival in Quảng Bình
The Whale Worship Festival in Quang Binh is held on the 15th day of the first lunar month with the meaning of going out to catch seafood, wishing for a smooth sailing trip. In particular, the procession of the Thanh Hoang palanquin at the ancestral temple and the reading of the Than Ngu's funeral oration at Linh Ngu Temple are always the most unique parts of the Whale Worship Festival in Canh Duong. Fishermen, boat owners, members of cooperatives and cooperatives gather at Ngu Linh Mieu Temple and An Cau Ngu, offering incense and offerings to the Than Ngu - two giant whale skeletons that people often call Mr. and Mrs. whales. The procession consists of nearly three to four hundred people in beautiful traditional costumes. Along with that, the flags, parasols, palanquins, flowers... and boat models, along with the lion and dragon dance troupe, bring a vibrant festival atmosphere. The most important ritual part of the Whale Worship Festival is the reading of the Than Ngu's funeral oration. The most prestigious elder of the village is allowed to offer incense and read the funeral oration. The oration expresses gratitude for the protection and support of the whales and the whales for fishermen during their sea trips, as well as the fishermen's prayers for a peaceful and fruitful sea season. After the ceremony, there are festival activities with traditional folk games such as: basket shaking, boat racing, net weaving competition, etc. In addition, there are other activities such as: beach soccer, culinary competition. The Whale Worship Festival in the Quang Binh fishing village integrates many traditional art forms, folk performances, with their own identity and characteristics such as: bong dance, rowing on the can, swimming competition, etc. The most impressive is the rowing on the can - ho khoan performance, which combines the lyrics and melodies of smooth, lyrical tunes (including mai ba, mai nen, ho khoan); Unique is the running-word dance (or Dong Dang dance), which is a form of collective dance, holding flower lanterns while dancing, and arranging them into Chinese characters: "Thien-ha thai-binh", "cau ngu-dac loi" ... to pray for the country to be peaceful, a prosperous and happy life. The dance is flexible, combined and in harmony with the music from traditional instruments, such as: trumpets, sanh tien, xap xeng, drums ... The Whale Worship Festival in Quang Binh contains many cultural values and has an important meaning in consolidating the community. With its unique cultural and historical values, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism recognized the Whale Worship Festival of coastal people in the districts of Quang Trach, Bo Trach, Quang Ninh, Le Thuy, Ba Don town and Dong Hoi city, Quang Binh province as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2018.
Viet Nam -
TABEKASERE
Tabekasere is traditional basket made from a local species of bamboo. It is an iconic heritage craft in Navatusila, a highland tribe on mainland Vitilevu, located about 4 - 6 hours away from Suva.
Fiji -
TABEKASERE - Traditional bamboo woven basket of Navatusila
The origin of basketry in the Pacific can be traced back to the early European exploration that changed the islanders’ way of living. Intensive European exploration changed the attitude and economy of the indigenous people that ultimately led to the change in the nature of the artifacts made. Baskets during these early times were mainly used in trading. Basketry in the Pacific Islands share similar characteristics in one-way or another, whether it be similar designs or similarity in raw materials used. Mostly across the Pacific, coconut leaves are used to make baskets; from simple designs to complicated ones. Many Pacific Islands use reed or vines to make baskets as well, and in rare cases, from bamboo stems. Traditional baskets woven from bamboo stems can be found from a district in Fiji called Navatusila. This traditional basket shares some similar and different features in comparison to other traditional baskets across the Pacific. Navatusila, a district in the mountains inland on the main island of the archipelago, Vitilevu, is known throughout Fiji and perhaps around the world for its past that many believed was a turning point in Fiji’s Christian history. However, this event is part of history and needed not hinder the fact that Navatusila, like many Fijian traditional settlements, still practice traditional skills and knowledge that is unique to the people in expressing social and cultural identity. Nubutautau, a village in Navatusila, has a bearer of high knowledge and skills in weaving a traditional craft known as tabekasere. The knowledge and skills in weaving the tabekasere is only held in Nubutautau in all the Fiji Islands. This unique craft came to light post Cultural Mapping Program held in February 2016 by the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs, iTaukei Institute of Language and Culture. Thus, the bearer of knowledge and skills in making the itabekasere is recognized as a Living Human Treasure, as it was discovered at that time that a lone person possessed the knowledge and skills.
Fiji