Vietnam is a country with a rich and diverse culture, which is reflected in many aspects of its people’s life. One of the most distinctive and captivating features of Vietnam is the shoulder pole, or the carrying pole, which is a simple but versatile tool that has been used for centuries by the Vietnamese, especially the street vendors. The shoulder pole is not only a means of transportation, but also a symbol of the hard work, creativity, and identity of the Vietnamese people.
The origin and the function of the shoulder pole
The shoulder pole is a long bamboo stick with two baskets or trays hanging at both ends. The baskets or trays can carry various kinds of goods, such as food, flowers, fruits, vegetables, and souvenirs. The shoulder pole is balanced on the shoulder of the vendor, who walks around the streets, alleys, and markets, offering their products to the customers. The shoulder pole is a convenient and flexible way of carrying goods, as it can move easily in narrow and crowded spaces, and it can be adjusted to suit different weights and sizes of the goods.
The shoulder pole is believed to have originated from the ancient times, when the Vietnamese people lived in rural areas and depended on agriculture. They used the shoulder pole to carry rice, water, and tools from the fields to their homes. Traced back to the war time of Vietnam, the shoulder pole was used to transport rice, food, medicine,… to the resistance bases. They contribute to the victory of the resistance war against invaders. They also are used to transport their products to the markets, where they exchange them for other goods or money. The shoulder pole was a common and essential tool for the farmers, who had to work hard to make a living.
The diversity and the beauty of the shoulder pole
The shoulder pole is not only a practical tool, but also a cultural expression of the Vietnamese people. The shoulder pole reflects the diversity and the beauty of the Vietnamese regions, products, and lifestyles. Depending on the region, the shoulder pole can have different names and styles, such as the quang gánh, the đòn gánh or triêng gióng. Depending on the product, the shoulder pole can have different colors and patterns, such as the red and yellow of the flowers, the green and purple of the fruits, and the white and brown of the food. Depending on the lifestyle, the shoulder pole can have different functions and meanings, such as the livelihood and the income of the vendors, the convenience and the enjoyment of the customers, and the tradition and the identity of the Vietnamese.
The shoulder pole is also a source of inspiration and creativity for many artists and designers, who have depicted and modified the shoulder pole in various forms of art and literature, such as paintings, sculptures, photographs, poems, and novels. The shoulder pole is often portrayed as a symbol of the charm and the vitality of Vietnam, as well as a symbol of the struggle and the resilience of the Vietnamese people.
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