Tuesday, May 28, 2013

What are these?

I had a presentation about Vietnam, my home country last April. And I got an email from a Japanese friend last week asking about this picture. Her daughter didn't know what these people were carrying in tiny bicycles. In spite of safety issues,they look artful, thanks to the unknown photographer.

But what are they on the bicycles? You can see them more clearly from this picture:
 I know these things are but I don't know the English words. Even Vietnamese people who don't live in the country can't distinguish the different names, shapes ans sizes of the tools. Even with the same function, it will be named different due to local dialects. The things in the picture above is named "đó" (pronounced as "door" with higher pitch, no "r" sound).




As you can see, in image a, "đó ruộng" is the tool used in the rice paddy, while "đó đầm" is used in the ponds and lakes. They are made of bamboo. The farmer put "đó ruộng" in the small current and left it there. Following the current, fish swam into the entrance of the tool and couldn't escape. Unfortunately, fish is becoming rare because people tend to use more chemical fertilizer and herbicide. Consequently, these tools are disappearing and can only be seen in the private museum.



These are fishing tools weaven from bamboo in the South of Vietnam

Luckily, someone may see through their decorative side and use them in country-themed restaurants. "Đó" was used on Nguyễn Huệ flower street in Lunar New Year.
Just hope this explains something in the picture on top.