The Untold Story of the Thousand-Year-Old Basket

Stretching it out. Stretching it out. Yeah. They loop it under, but it's kind of tricky. A bit tricky. But someone like you never dries out. Because you've been doing it since. I'm used to it. Going little by little. It takes a really long time, Uncle. So long. So long, each tiny little strip. When we need it. Hold the guay, everyone. We see 1.2 million and think it's pricey. But if you all get to witness. Everyone sees the scene. You lying down, working each crease. Then it's not expensive at all. Everyone's been to this channel ages ago, back when harvest season came. Today, I'm taking everyone. To visit an artisan. A highland person, an artisan. No rice cooked. Is this a stilt house or something? Now, people who know how to weave this. This is very rare. Uncle. Very rare. This tradition goes way back. Passed down from our ancestors. Passed down from the ancestors, right? Yes. They say without a teacher, you can't master it. So you must. Only learn it from the elders. That's right. Only learn it from the elders. From the grandparents, the elders. The elders have all grown old and passed it down. This uncle is an artisan still weaving guay of the highland people, everyone. These days, only people his age still know how. Right? The younger generation probably doesn't know this craft, do they, uncle? Some do know, but not as well. I'm already a master of the craft. So you're already a master, right? But the younger folks would find it hard to learn, uncle. Now this craft is like a lost profession. Even just splitting the rattan, if you're not skilled in the trade, you can't shave it like this. Shaving rattan strips is extremely difficult. Everyone, pay attention here. Uncle shaves them all so evenly. Extremely even, right? Here, up close so everyone can see. It's even. Even, right, uncle? Meaning, you see every strip is uneven. But any strip, if your skill is weak, when you shave it, especially, it won't come out even. And it's hard to weave. Thicker strands are harder to weave. Harder to weave. So how long have you been doing this craft? Probably a little. Since, basically since I was a teen. My grandparents used to do it. So you were already making these since your teens? Yes. Sometimes I'd go to old houses, sit outside the gate like this, just like you. Hiding away, nibbling on a little snack. Here's a finished goué right here. Here, here. Right here in this house. As you can see, this is the finished product. It's truly artistic and beautiful. See the weaving pattern? The weaving is very even and beautiful. Very even and beautiful. Uncle, is this lid made by you? This hat, you got it, right? This hat, you have to go deep into Hoatrung to get it. You can't find them around here anymore. Meaning you have to go deep into Hoatrung to get one. Hoatrung has at least about a dozen of them. What's your name, sir? You said it's C A Louie, so you're B A Louie. Like with this dark one, one black mark means many black marks. This one, if our people. Days for one? Wow, that's a long time. Right, it's not like I sit and work every single day. Everyone, weaving this takes him a full 10 days. To finish just one of these. That's how it adds up, but I don't work all day. You don't work all day? You squeeze it in, right? Yeah, either in the morning or the afternoon. Just whenever I can find the time. On rest days, or when it's someone's day off. Oh, so you only weave when you have spare time, right? Million for a Gouet like this. Million for a Gouet like this. They commission it, so I have to weave it carefully for them. I mean, when they order one, I make the authentic version. Hey everyone, here's a Gouet like this. An uncle just finished it. He's currently selling them for 800,000. Kind of like selling and giving away at the same time, 800. But honestly, the real price should be 1.2 million. You think that's fair for the price he put in, right? All the hard work he put into this Gouet. Up to 1.2 million per Gouet, everyone. Here, 1.2 million. Now we'll witness firsthand the artisan's process. What's your name, uncle? Oh, you mentioned it just now. C.A. Nui. Here, uncle C.A. Nui, the artisan C.A. Nui. A highland person. Koho ethnic highlander. The Koho ethnic group. Hamlet 2A, Din Tran Hoa. Hamlet 2A, Din Tran Hoa. Uncle specializes in making these. Here he's stretching the weave. You have a small screwdriver, right? Yes, that's right. Then you press it in like this. Press it in, everyone. Pull, pull, and press it in. Pull and press. Yes. It may look easy on camera, but it's actually quite difficult. It's a bit difficult. But for someone as skilled as uncle, it never is. Because he's been doing it for a long time. He's used to it. He's used to it. Here you go. He's doing it little by little. Yes. It takes a very long time for you, uncle. So long. Very long. Each tiny rattan strip. Yes. When you hold it, you pick up the guay and think 1.2 million is expensive. But if you all witness, everyone sees the scene where he carefully lays down every single line. It's not expensive at all. Each small strip he's weaving in, I think that it takes so long to fill just this whole length, everyone. That's one hand span, two, three. Two hand spans is the tallest, right uncle? The upper part, we roll it down and cut it off, right? Depends on the size of the guay, big or small. Oh, it depends on the guay size, big or small. A smaller tree is shorter, uncle. Yes. You have to find the good ones, the thick ones, for each one. You really have to search hard for beauty, huh? Can everyone see uncle, right? Here, we're starting now. Just come in, uncle. Come in, come in. Oh, you have to soak it in water? No, if it's stiff, that's fine. Oh, soaking it in water makes it softer, right? Uncle soaks the rattan in water, everyone, to make the strips nice and soft. Now in this whole area, only uncle weaves these, right? Many. Many people weave them? A lot, but each village has its own style, they still make ones like this. But many people use them just to display on the altar, that's all, not for anything else. Each ethnic group has different pillows, but the people here have to sit like this. This pillow is from the Ciejo people, right? Highland people. Ciejo Highland people. Well, weaving one of these takes a few days to earn 1.2 million. There, so cool. Oh, this is sprayed with water? Spray it so it softens, otherwise it's stiff. Oh, spray to soften it, got it. See how he does it, everyone? He's spraying water. Oh, he's putting water in that bottle, right? Let me see that bottle. It's a nasal spray bottle. He put water in a nasal spray, you won't believe where he sprays it. Earlier he grabbed this and sprayed, I thought it was some kind of medicine. It's actually just water. Just water, everyone. We add water to make it pliable. This is also an art form, uncle. A simple, easy way to do it. That's all there is to it, uncle. Your technique is so refined, I could never do it. See this, everyone? He's been at it this whole time and still hasn't finished a single slat. It's been quite a few minutes already, uncle. I can really feel its age to such a beautiful tone. How much have you made since morning? All morning and only this much? That's all? I didn't get to see him shave anything, the shaving was done days ago. Yes, you shave it, just that middle part, right uncle? This middle part is very durable. Take this knife, see? Yes, there you go, everyone can see it. This knife here. I noticed another special knife. Uncle made this himself, it's really clever. Uncle shaped it himself, see? Let everyone see the knife. Blacksmiths only forged us half a knife. Blacksmiths only forged us half a knife, right? Blacksmiths only forged us half a knife, right? Wow, super sharp, everyone, this could shave a beard. If we keep going on like this, it could shave a beard too. This is insanely sharp, wow, really sharp everyone. This is insanely sharp, wow, really sharp everyone. Now, uncle designed it like this, it fits perfectly in hand. Fits perfectly in hand. Both beautiful and artistic. There are plenty of them, uncle. You make two or three. With a knife like this, how much does it cost once you finish it? I bought this for 100,000. I bought it from someone. Uncle made the handle himself. Just bought the blade. We just bought the blade, right? Friends who know how just give it to me. Very special. Many people made the gourd shoulder strap up here. Only those who know how use these shoes. Uncle makes all of that. That's called the MEP, right uncle? This is the MEP. This is really fast. This one, uncle will tuck it in. Yes, this is the buoy stock. Do I just put it here? Just keep going, pulling it little by little. Yeah, pull from here, start from here, don't know where to put it. This is a guay. From top to bottom, it's all the same size. It's even, right? Not bigger or smaller, stretching all the way down. Right, earlier I kept wondering how this backpack can lie flat. It's perfectly even from bottom to top. Turns out you use a mold, right? Here, check this out everyone. This mold is really simple. Something this simple can create such a beautiful, distinctive backpack. Slot it in, like this. You pull it gradually, gradually. Like that measurement earlier, right uncle? That measurement is different, it starts from here. That measurement is at the bottom. This mold, that part is at the bottom. That part is at the bottom, right? From the edge through here, it starts going up from here to the edge. We put this mold in. So at what point do you put the mold in? Here, all the way up to here. Ah, once we reach there, then I add the mold, pull it up gradually, right? Yeah, to keep it straight. It straightens up. No, it just tilts down on its own. Right. This stand isn't great. Yes, exactly, uncle. Exactly what I was just wondering, how is it so even like this? Well, uncle already trimmed all the ribs at home beforehand. Yeah. If you want a bigger pack, you just make this part bigger, or smaller if you want it smaller. It's that simple, everyone. And uncle creates such valuable guay packs. They carry such a unique cultural identity for the highland people. It's become a hallmark of highland culture in the central highlands. Our central highlands highland culture, carrying the guay pack. Its base has to be sourced from the forest. This guay pack originated from the highland people of the central highlands. Because back in the day, when I talk about the highlands here, the lowland kin people also carry guay packs. But our guay was only learned from the highland people. But nowadays, the kin people no longer use guay packs. They've stopped using them, uncle. They don't carry them anymore, but the highland people's culture hasn't faded, thanks to you. It has become a distinctive cultural feature. This is a lifelong craft, but future generations may not know it. You pass the craft down to your children and grandchildren, right? But these days, young people here no longer pursue it. They don't, but uncle, shave this piece for us. Here, everyone, take a look at this. Uncle, you shaved this from a plant. What kind is it? The yew tree in the forest. The yew tree in the forest, right? Yes, let me trim it so everyone can see. Let me shave it for you. Let me shave it so everyone can see. Yes. That's right. Wow, uncle, this is incredibly sharp. It's truly sharp, everyone, just push it lightly. Just a gentle push is enough. 24. 24, doubled. That's right, you have to do it yourself. Right. I'm making the sharp tip of the knife here. Here the tail isn't straight. Oh, it's not straight. The sharp tip, it's straight. Adjust it yourself. It's not all straight, uncle. First, it fits, second, it's not. Not quite straight. This hand holds the metal. I have to adjust it myself. Adjust it, there. There. Done, that's the king. Right. Xi'an is four, uncle. Now uncle, Xi'an is four. This one, if you're not used to it, you can't do it, uncle. If it's pressed, it gets pressed. They're big and small, uncle-sized. Many people make them like this. Lots of people, but you need real skill. It takes many years to master. Just learning for one or two years. You can't make these strips. You can't twist them evenly. Some people have no idea at all. Right, they can't do it. Many elders his age. Many can't do it either. Look here, is it even? Yes, perfectly even. See that, everyone? Uncle weaves so evenly. If there's extra, we split it again. Any leftover, we shave it down, right? Yes, we just split it off. Exactly right. There, we measure to keep it even. That's the proper width, right? I can't hold it this long. Nope, looking at how the other guys do it, that works. Yep, still straight, right? He's used to it, his hands know it now. Yeah, he's got the feel, super straight. He shaves it down into one whole rattan strip, see? He carves it into a single strip, just like that. Uncle here looks younger now. Once it's thinned down, then I shave it, right? Shaving it smooth, see? You all see that, right? Replacing a single strip takes so many steps. Right, right. He leaves it in and just pulls it right through. There, look at that. It goes through evenly. So even, uncle. Perfectly even, look. Right, spot on. Yeah, they weave together evenly. This side too. This one we skip. Right, the inside one you leave it, right? Here, uncle, this side too. A little more and you'll pass it through. Both are the same size, uncle. But one big person, one small person both need 24 strands like this. And this is a smaller guey just like that. The strands woven around the outside are different. The strands woven around the outside are different, right? Yes. There are quite a lot of them too, uncle. A lot. So many. You have work to do with it. So you just sit here all day with little Thursday. Yes. Now barely anyone still weaves these, hardly anyone has the patience to sit and weave like this, everyone. It's becoming rarer. Young people today don't do it, only the elders do, uncle. Only the old folks remain those who really cherish the culture and traditions of our people and want to preserve that cultural identity. So they learn to weave, to keep it going, right uncle? They don't want to abandon that tradition. Because young people today have too many things, phones, social media, how could they still be passionate about this, right uncle? And drinking, going wild too, not to mention the drinking. See that, everyone? Look, uncle pulls it out here. Look at that, it's done. All shaved and finished now. I have to shave the head again. Just one quick shave, let me show you. There, shaved it open. Shaving like this, aren't you afraid of cutting your hands, uncle? I'm used to it. Used to it, otherwise you'd cut your hands for sure. Gotta keep tape right here. Yes. Look, see how uncle shaves it. So skillful. One pass and it's all clean through. Sitting all day really wears you out. Yes. Have to pop one end to make it work. So fast, uncle. No need to praise him, he's fast. One swipe and it's done. Not yet done. Still not done yet. How many minutes per one? How long for one piece? Yeah. Then we have to let it flatten, okay? So it looks nice with no loose ends, right? No loose ends at all. There. Skip it. Go in. There. Skip it so my hands. Easier to weave. Oh, skip it so I can weave without hurting my hands? This is the main piece, right? This is the main source, huh? Yeah, the main one has to be done. There are this many. The rest needs more detail. It takes 24 strands like this. Right, 24 pieces. Right, now we start like this. Yes. Here it is, everyone. Today we're visiting Uncle C.A. Doi. The artisan weaving rattan backpacks of the Coho people. He's been at this craft for, he's been weaving since he was 15. So he's been making these Guay for nearly 50 years. Some years I get it done. Some years I do, some I don't. Some years yes, some years no. But he's been weaving these Guay for about 50 years now. Because. Now at noon I often go work. Once I start, in 10 more years it'll be nearly 50 years. Only remade these past 20 to 30 years. Only got back to it these past 20 to 30 years. It's been a very long time now, Uncle. With that much time comes a lot of experience. So much experience. You see, here's a characteristic. The highland people up here. Every household has a Guay. Pretty much everyone has one. It's an essential item for the Coho people. A staple item of the Coho, the highland people here. Everyone uses a Guay. This is also a very distinctive cultural feature of the central highlands ethnic peoples, everyone. I find this cultural trait truly beautiful and fascinating. Because whenever you walk down the You instantly know they're central highlands people. Carrying a Guay like that. They bring it to the market too. They bring it to work too. They bring their Guay to work too. Yes. I noticed people here usually carry this Guay when they go out. Right, you can only carry things with a Guay. It carries everything. Anything to tools, supplies, anything you name it. No matter where they go, they always bring the Guay. Kind of like you young folks today. When you go traveling, you wear a backpack. But highland people, they wear their Guay. Wherever they go, they bring the Guay to carry their stuff.