Bà Chúa Tằm Tang: Silkworm Queen

Bà Chúa Tằm Tang (the "Silkworm Queen") is a legendary figure whose life left a lasting imprint on Vietnam’s cultural history. Her story dates back to the 17th century during the rule of the Nguyễn Lords, prior to the rise of the Nguyễn Dynasty, and remains deeply woven into the heritage of Quảng Nam. Today, her legacy is celebrated in a dedicated mini-show at the famous Hội An Memories outdoor theater.


According to legend, Lord Nguyễn Phúc Lan (1601–1648) was sailing along the Thu Bồn River when he heard a captivating voice singing from the riverbank. Entranced by both her voice and beauty, he set out to meet her. The young woman was Đoàn Thị Ngọc, a local villager from a family of mulberry farmers and silkworm weavers.



Lord Nguyễn Phúc Lan won her heart and brought her to the royal court, where she eventually became his principal wife. Despite her royal status, Đoàn Thị Ngọc remained deeply connected to her humble roots. She used her position to protect and advance the region's sericulture and silk-weaving industries, guiding local production to flourish until raw silk became a highly prized commodity.


Between the 16th and 18th centuries, Hội An served as a thriving international trading hub. High-grade silk was transported down the Thu Bồn River and exported to merchants from Japan, China, Portugal, and the Netherlands. In honor of her pivotal role in establishing the region's silk empire, the local people affectionately bestowed upon her the title Bà Chúa Tằm Tang—the Silkworm Queen.


Comments

Post a Comment

Thanks for taking the time to read. I truly appreciate your comment. Enjoy!

Popular posts from this blog

The New NBA

Image
The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) is an American professional basketball league currently consisting of 12 teams. Founded in 1996 as the counterpart to the National Basketball Association (NBA), it remains the only league to ever receive the NBA's full backing. However, the league struggled to compete with the men’s game for viewership. Due to lower public interest, attendance and broadcast ratings consistently lagged, leading to significant financial hurdles. Over the last two decades, the NBA has subsidized the WNBA with over $10 million annually to maintain its solvency, as individual teams frequently faced yearly losses of $1 million to $2 million. A primary point of contention and public discourse has been the stark income inequality within the sport. High-profile players like Brittney Griner, Breanna Stewart, and Maya Moore have been vocal advocates for pay equity. Under the 2008 six-year Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the salary cap for an enti...
Read more

Ibronka and the Demon

Image
In a remote village lived a girl called Pretty Maid Ibronka. Though she was the most beautiful girl in the valley, she had no sweetheart. While her sisters sewed, surrounded by admirers, Ibronka sat alone. One night, in a fit of loneliness, she cried out, "If only I had a lover! I wouldn't care if he were the devil himself." After midnight, the door swung open. A handsome stranger entered, smiling at the company before sitting beside Ibronka. He was charming, yet when Ibronka dropped her bobbin and reached to retrieve it, her fingers brushed something hard and cleft. Startled, she pulled back, but the man calmly scooped up the tool and returned it with a smile. Dismissing her fear as a mistake, she allowed him to embrace her when he left. Troubled the next morning, Ibronka sought the village wise woman. "To find the truth," the woman advised, "attach a spool of thread to his cloak as he leaves. Follow it."  That night, Ibronka followed the silver tra...
Read more

Last October in Vietnam

Image
After landing in Hanoi, I took a taxi to my hotel through traffic that never seemed to quit. Scooters and cars wove through the streets in a chaotic yet synchronized melody. When I asked a local for advice on crossing the street, he suggested raising my hand to signal drivers. I tried observing this technique, but it appeared to have little effect. Ultimately, I realized the only way through the madness is to breathe, keep walking, and trust you'll reach the other side.   The scale of the country surprised me. Exploring Northern Vietnam, I encountered rolling hills, green valleys, and more buffalo than I could count. The local communities there are quite dependent on tourism, and I was frequently approached by vendors during my two-day stay. While it was initially difficult to find meals beyond the standard chicken or pork dishes, a bit of exploring and some help from Google led me to several healthy alternatives. I even found the occasional Bánh Mì shop serving tofu and vegetable...
Read more