Incense-making craft of the Nung ethnic minority in Cao Bang

(VOVWORLD) - The craft of producing incense, practiced by the Nung ethnic minority in the northern mountainous province of Cao Bang, has been passed down from generation to generation. Incense sticks are burned on special occasions, like the Lunar New Year festival (Tet).

The Nung ethnic minority people, who live in Phia Thap hamlet at the foot of Pha Hung mountain, are renowned for producing agarwood incense sticks.

The Nung have practiced their craft for hundreds of years.

Their incense sticks are made of natural materials, free of chemicals.

Each stick is dipped four times in a mixture of sawdust and agarwood powder.

Producing these items requires a keen eye.

Generations of the Nung community have passed the tradition down to younger members.

Vietnamese burn incense on the first and 15th day of every lunar month and on other special occasions, such as an the ancestor’s death anniversary.

The most time-consuming stage of the process is drying the incense. The Nung usually dry sticks at noon, the hottest period of the day.

If it is sunny, the process may take a single day. Otherwise, it could take as much as three days to dry the incense.

Sometimes incense is dried in the kitchen to fulfill a rush order from a customer.

A tourist learns the secrets of making incense.

 

The incense of Phia Thap hamlet is famous and in demand throughout Cao Bang and neighbouring provinces.