Carefully clean the soil

"It is impossible to count how many clay fireworks competitions Ninh Giang district has each year because this sport has become ingrained in the blood of the people here. Normally, whenever they have free time, people organize fireworks regardless of day or night," said Mr. Pham Van Nam (born in 1986, residing in Do Nghia village, Nghia An commune), a member of the clay fireworks team of Nghia An commune.

Nghia An commune's clay artillery team at the Con Son - Kiep Bac festival.

According to Mr. Nam, clay cannons are divided into two types: large cannons and small cannons. Of these, large cannons are commonly used in Nghia An commune. "Playing with clay cannons looks very easy but also requires meticulousness and elaboration in each step. Especially in getting and preparing the soil," he said.

Firecracker players must choose old soil (loam). This special type of soil is usually clean, without many impurities, and is taken at a depth of over 1m from the fields.

After taking the soil, you have to use a sickle to completely remove impurities, then pound it until it is soft, smooth and not sticky to the hand. "In the past, people used a wooden handle to pound the soil until it was soft. Later, people used machines to do that step," said Mr. Nam.

Once the soil is prepared, the player will form the soil into a square shape. Then, they must use their feet and hands to stomp, punch, and compact the soil to create the shape of the firecracker. The firecracker must be oval-shaped, with the muzzle smaller than the back of the cannon, and the middle part thicker than the sides.

After creating the shape, the player uses a wet cloth, wrings it dry to wipe the edge of the firecracker, and uses both hands to press the edge of the firecracker evenly.

After pressing, the player uses a knife or a sharp bamboo stick to cut deep into the groove until it is completely broken. Then, continue pressing once more to cover the cut area with soil to make it whole. At the muzzle of the firecracker, the player makes a cut about 5cm long, called the break point, where the firecracker's break point will pop out. After cutting the break point, the firecracker maker adjusts the firecracker to balance it one last time before planting.

How to sow fireworks?

Each firecracker usually weighs 60-80kg, so before launching, several people are needed to help lift the firecracker for the gunner. When preparing to launch, the gunner's feet should be perpendicular to his shoulders, his elbows should be against his stomach, his hands should be spread out to support the belly of the firecracker and keep the firecracker balanced.

When launching, the gunner must spread his legs shoulder-width apart, put strength into his knees, close his armpits, then use the strength of his arms to disperse the cannon, then launch it. To launch a good cannon requires each gunner to train both in health and experience.

When the firecrackers are set off, everyone will stand in a circle, the drums will beat, and the spectators will cheer loudly. When the firecrackers land, they will create a huge explosion, as loud as thunder. The cheering audience around them must stand far away from the gunner to avoid the shrapnel from hitting them.

Mr. Pham Xuan Khi, a person with many years of experience in playing clay cannons, shared that in clay cannon competitions, the referee will measure the length of the cannon to determine which team wins.

Therefore, when throwing fireworks, players need to throw them so that the fireworks are balanced and square so that the fireworks will be long.

"The winning team cannot be determined by one firecracker, but by many. Normally, a team will have about 15 players and must make 5 firecrackers. Thus, 3 people are responsible for making 1 firecracker. After each team throws 5 firecrackers, the referee will see which team's firecracker is longer to determine which team is the winner," said Mr. Khi.

Fireworks exploded throughout the village.

By 2023, Nghia An commune's clay fireworks were recognized as OCOP products by the Hai Duong Provincial People's Committee. After that, the commune established the Nghia An OCOP clay fireworks team with 35 members, all of whom are experienced and have achieved many high results in competitions. The team has operating regulations, builds funds, and makes uniforms for members. Before the competition, the team spends time practicing and assigning tasks to each person.

The OCOP clay artillery team of Nghia An commune has 35 members, all of whom are experienced and regularly compete and perform everywhere.

Mr. Pham Quang Diep, Captain of Nghia An Clay Fireworks Team, said: "People in the commune all know and play clay fireworks. But Trinh Xuyen village has the most passion for clay fireworks. From the elderly to the young, everyone is very excited. However, the most experienced and proficient people are all from the 7x and 8x generations."

Mr. Diep said, no one knows when firecrackers were invented. All they know is that when they were young and grew up, they saw people in the village and commune playing them. In the past, everyone, young and old, men and women, knew how to play and were passionate about it, playing day and night. The sound of firecrackers exploded throughout the village, making people happy like at a festival.

Promote cultural values

Every time the competition takes place, clay fireworks always attract the attention and encouragement of many domestic and foreign tourists. It is also a way for Hai Duong to preserve and promote folk cultural values ​​in modern times.

Mr. Tran Van Han, Chairman of Nghia An Commune People's Committee, said that in addition to improving health, clay firecrackers are also an activity to honor, preserve and promote various types of folk cultural heritage, associated with preserving and promoting tourism potential, socio-economic development; enriching the spiritual life of the people.

"Every year, the commune organizes many competitions in the area, attracting a large number of people. In addition, Ninh Giang district and Hai Duong province also organize this folk game, including the Nghia An clay artillery team," Mr. Han informed.

According to Mr. Han, previously, people could get soil to make fireworks spontaneously, and they could get it anywhere. Since the Hai Duong Provincial People's Committee recognized clay fireworks as an OCOP product, Nghia An commune has planned 350 square meters in Trieu Sam area of ​​Trinh Xuyen village to specialize in getting soil to make fireworks.