Vietnamese scientist received an award from the US

Master Luu Dam Ngoc Anh received the award from the American Textile Association because of the new discovery of indigo-dyed species, helping to preserve the characteristic culture that is gradually disappearing by ethnic minorities.

Research "Revival of indigo-colored knowledge of Vietnamese ethnic minority communities" by Master Ngoc Anh, 32 years old, works at the Vietnam Museum of Nature (Academy of Science and Technology). the award for the new American Textile Association's expert on September 12.

"I was very surprised when I received this award, especially when I was the only foreigner, because the other 4 were all Americans and were the first Vietnamese," said Ngoc Anh. knowing this will motivate her to continue for scientific research.

Master Ngoc Anh (rightmost) with 4 Americans at the awards ceremony in Los Angeles.(Photos provided by characters)

With her research, this female scientist not only discovered ethnic communities in Vietnam still use indigo to dye clothes, food but also recorded new plants for indigo named Wrightia laevis science Hook.f. (Co mụ, Thai) belongs to family Apocynaceae . The species is still used in the Black Thai community in Son La province to dye indigo fabric.

With ethnic minorities in Vietnam, trees stained in festivals, costumes and meals. Today due to convenient trade, the impact of modernization, the lives of minorities have gradually changed. They gradually choose artificial and synthetic products to be sold on the market for easier and easier use.

However, there are still some compatriots who maintain the traditional customs of the nation such as wearing clothes dyed with indigo leaves, making sticky rice, black glutinous rice cakes in Tet holidays, traditional cakes, eating chopsticks, dyeing cloths from plants.

"This is a national identity and valuable indigenous knowledge that needs to be maintained and preserved before the modernization of society," Ngoc Anh said. The scientist also said that according to experts' predictions, it is possible that in 5-10 years, staining activities in ethnic minority communities will disappear.

Therefore, her research has contributed to the maintenance of this knowledge, thereby increasing people's income and creating local products to serve the development of Northwest tourism.

The heart of dyeing, Co Mu - Wrightia laevis Hook.f.(Photo: Ngoc Anh)

Research shows that, during dyeing process, the Black Thai people also use other plants to promote the coloring process for indigo batches such as Coarse (Pluchea indica, branches); Coercion (Oroxylum indicum, using the bark).

The process of weaving and dyeing of Thai people is very sophisticated. Cotton is grown on corn fields, turned into fibers and woven into fabric. The fabric after weaving is finished with corn or rice. Then, the new fabric is used for dyeing indigo.

Through 10-12 times of dyeing indigo fabric with dark blue is achieved. Next is the process of making black cloth. At this time, brown tubers will be pounded for water to enter, soak the cloth for 1-2 days, then sun-dry. The fabric will be black and hard.

European color research experts confirmed the use of Wrightia laevis Hook.f. almost disappeared in the world of natural coloring, no longer used by any community to create color. Therefore, the discovery of knowledge and experience in the use of stained tree species of master Luu Dam Ngoc Anh has opened up new research directions in the conservation and development of stained tree resources in Vietnam.

The American Textile Association (TSA) was established in 1985, managed by the Board of Directors of North American Universities and Museums, with hundreds of members. With the aim of supporting and encouraging young students and young professionals to study in the world of textiles in the world, in 2006, the award for New Professionals of the American Textile Association was born. In the 14th Annual Conference of the Association, held at the University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA), five young professionals, including a Vietnamese, Ms. Luu Dam Ngoc Anh, were awarded the above award. .