Phuoc Kieu bronze casting village, located in Dien Phuong commune, Dien Ban town, Quang Nam province, is one of the famous traditional craft villages of Vietnam with a history of more than 400 years. The bronze casting craft here not only reflects the sophistication and talent of the craftsmen but is also a unique cultural symbol of Quang region.
History of formation and development
Phuoc Kieu bronze casting village was established in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, when artisans from Thanh Hoa migrated to Quang Nam and brought with them the bronze casting craft. Initially, the village was divided into two areas: Phuoc Kieu statue village specialized in casting weapons and Dong Kieu statue carving village specialized in carving statues. In 1832, under the reign of King Minh Mang, these two villages were merged into Phuoc Kieu bronze casting village, a name that remains to this day.
Bronze casting products and techniques
Phuoc Kieu village’s products are very diverse, including traditional musical instruments such as gongs, bronze drums, bronze bells, and worship and decorative items such as incense burners, Buddha statues, and fountains.
In particular, gong instruments crafted by Phuoc Kieu artisans are favored by ethnic groups in the Central Highlands thanks to their standard sound and high quality.
The bronze casting process in Phuoc Kieu requires meticulousness and high technique. The main steps include creating a mold from clay and rice husks, melting bronze at high temperatures, pouring bronze into the mold, and then finishing the product by grinding and carving patterns.
Each stage requires skill and experience to create sophisticated products that are imbued with local culture.
Conservation challenges and efforts
Experiencing many historical events and the development of modern industry, Phuoc Kieu craft village faces many challenges such as the shortage of young workers, competition from industrial products and the risk of losing traditional crafts. Currently, the village only has a few elderly artisans with many years of experience.
To keep the fire burning for the profession, they constantly train the younger generation, both preserving tradition and passing on secrets to the next generation.
Craft villages in Mind Connector’s value ecosystem
Mind Connector, a network of business consultants and lecturers who are leaders and experts with practical experience in many fields, has established ecosystems to find value symbols for businesses through typical products. Phuoc Kieu craft village is one of those ecosystems, where cast bronze products not only carry traditional values but also contribute to honoring important milestones of businesses.
Phuoc Kieu village’s cast bronze products have a unique character, both preserving traditional values that have existed for thousands of years and honoring the value of the enterprise through important milestones.
With the sophistication in design and the durability of bronze materials, these products are not only souvenirs but also symbols of the longevity and development of the enterprise.
Integrating Phuoc Kieu bronze casting village into Mind Connector’s ecosystem not only helps preserve and promote traditional crafts but also creates new business opportunities, increases product value and income for local people. This is a strategic step, connecting tradition and modernity, culture and economy, contributing to the sustainable development of craft villages.
Change the ending
Phuoc Kieu bronze casting village is a living testament to the talent and perseverance of the people of Quang Nam in preserving and promoting traditional crafts. Bringing the craft village into the Mind Connector ecosystem is an important step forward, contributing to the preservation of cultural heritage and promoting local economic development. Hopefully, with this support, Phuoc Kieu bronze casting village will continue to develop and shine, maintaining its position as one of the typical traditional craft villages in Vietnam.
