Right now I am in Sigang .

我現在在西港

I have heard rush bag is really popular in Sigang.

曾聽說西港的藺草袋非常受歡迎

But what is rush and how to make rush bag?

什麼是藺草 藺草袋又是如何做成的呢

Let's go and take a look!

讓我們去瞧瞧吧

This is Miss Kang from the rush factory.

這位是藺草工坊的康小姐

Hi, Miss Kang!

嗨 康小姐您好

Hello! And also hello to the audience!

嗨 你好 大家好

I saw many bags here and I heard the material is really special.

我看到這兒有好多袋子 聽說材質非常特別

Can you introduce me more about rush?

可否請您介紹關於藺草的事呢

There are two types of rush grass.

藺草有分為

One is in a circle shape and another is in a triangle shape.

圓藺跟三角藺

And our factory mainly use triangle rush grass.

我們這裡是以三角藺為主

After it is planted,

藺草種植後

Sigang rush can be harvested about three months later.

大約三個月左右可以採收

In total, rush can be harvested three times a year.

一年可以採收三期

After it is harvested, rush must be dried under the sun

採收後必須曬乾

before it can be used to make handicrafts.

才能做成工藝品

Back when there were no plastic ropes,

早期沒有塑膠繩

people used rush to tie things.

會用藺草來綑綁物品喔

Here is our showroom.

這邊是我們的展覽室

There are many rush products.

裡面有許多藺草產品

You can take a look!

你可以看一下

Woo I thought you only have bags!

喔 我以為你們只有包包

Rush can be used to make a variety of products!

藺草可以做的商品真的好多喔

In addition to bags,

除了包包以外

it can also be used to make shoes,

還可以做鞋子

tissue boxes, and pencil bags.

面紙盒 筆袋

Wow,the owl is really cute!

哇 好可愛的貓頭鷹

How can you make this kind of product?

這樣的產品要怎麼做啊

The produce process of the products

這些產品的製程

is begin with mat-chosen.

都從挑選蓆面開始

After selecting the mattress surface you like,

挑選好合適的蓆面後

the staff will measure the correct size of the mattress

決定尺寸版型

and trim it.

定稿後裁剪

After trimming comes stitching.

接下來是裁縫

Some mattresses are stitched by hand.

有些則是手縫

I heard the makers of these bags are some aunties of the community.

我聽說這些袋子都是由社區裡的阿姨們製作

Can you introduce me more about the factory?

想請您多介紹關於工坊的事情

The majority of the factory members are ladies

這裡主要是由一群社區媽媽

who live in the neighborhood.

所組成的工坊

All the products here

這裡所有的產品

are made entirely by mothers in the community.

都是由社區媽媽們一手打理

They design, cut, stitch,

從設計 裁版 車縫

and even set up stalls to sell the products.

甚至是參加市集擺攤

These local mothers add creativity

社區媽媽們將被遺忘的傳統產業

into this forgotten industry,

加入新的創意

and bringing it more up to date.

及符合時代需求的設計

They bring vigor and vitality to the traditional industry,

傳統產業注入新的生命力

which allow more people to see the beauty of traditional industries,

讓更多人體會到它的美

and revitalize the community.

也讓社區更加活絡

Why did you want to set up this kind of factory in Sigang ?

為什麼您們會想在西港設立這樣的工坊

The reason why we set up the group is

我們當初會成立

because we have a mat factory here in the neighborhood.

是因為這附近有一間製蓆工廠

As the decline of the traditional industry,

由於產業沒落

the factory faces closure.

它即將面臨退場

Back then the factory gave away grass mats to local residents,

當時製蓆工廠將草蓆送給社區

and local administrators were sad

社區的幹部覺得很可惜

to see Taiwan's only rush grass mat factory on the decline.

因為這是全臺灣僅存的一間

In the end, the factory worked together with the community.

因此工廠與社區結合社區

They invited bamboo weaving experts

請來竹編老師教學

to teach local women how to make grass mat products.

社區媽媽將草蓆製作成各種產品

The products went viral,

廣受喜愛

and they received a lot of orders.

甚至接到了許多訂單

As a result, they set up a workshop,

才成立工坊

and after years of effort,

這幾年運作下來

rush bags became more renowned

藺草包已經打開市場知名度

and turned into a souvenir of Sigang.

成為西港的特色伴手禮

Do you know that?

你知道嗎

The bag can be bought on the airplanes of the China Airline.

這個袋子能夠在華航的飛機上買到

It makes Tainan, Taiwan be seen by the whole world.

讓臺灣臺南能被全世界看見

The community would release new rush bag designs each year

社區每年都會依據潮流

based on the latest fashion trends.

推出新的創意

These local women know exactly what hipsters like!

社區媽媽們也很懂文青們的喜好喔

These bags are designed based on 24 solar terms.

這些袋子的設計是源自於24節氣

Different color indicates different solar terms.

不同的顏色意味著不同的節氣

Let's see which one is my birthday bag!

我們來瞧瞧哪一個是我的生日包

Ah! I see ! This one!

喔 我看見了 是這一個

Brown! I like brown.

棕色 我喜歡棕色

There are 24 colors for the 24 solar terms.

24節氣包有24種顏色

What color do you belong to?

你是什麼顏色呢

Come and check it out.

可以來找找看喔

The combination of the community

社區結合

and the local factory creates

在地產業

an innovation power to upgrade the local industry,

新的力量讓傳統產業轉型

and also reunite the whole community.

也讓社區活絡

Next time if you visit Sigang, never miss rush bag!

下回 如果你來到西港 可別錯過藺草包喔