The History of Bags and Weaving in Thailand
There are many ways to learn about the history of textiles in Thailand, including the weaving of bags and textiles. Learn about the Mlabri weavers and the trade in Mo Hom indigo dye. You can also learn about the Ban Na Menu Sri village, where the traditional cloth was made from jute.
Mlabri Trade
The Mlabri people are now settled in permanent villages in the Phrae and Nan provinces of Thailand. Their houses are made of wood and cinderblock with metal roofs. Their children are now attending public schools, and their health care has improved. However, the suicide rate among Mlabri has increased in the last few years. Many Mlabri engages in wage labour and cash crop cultivation, as well as ethnic tourism.
The Mlabri are an ethnic group from northern Thailand. They live near the Hmong, northern Thai, and Lao populations. Their trade with these groups is significant to the people living in the region. However, the Mlabri do not enjoy a high standard of living. Their culture and way of life are based on hunting, fishing, and gathering.
In 1996, Swiss textile engineer Peter Schmid visited a Mlabri village and noticed their weaving skill. He encouraged them to make hammocks. Today, Mlabri hammocks are available for sale on eBay. This trade is not a sham. Instead, it has become an integral part of their lives.
The Mlabri people of Thailand live in the mountains. They speak the Khmuic language, which is a subgroup of Austroasiatic languages. The Khmu language is also similar to the Mal and Pray language subgroups. Their culture may be influenced by a cultural reversion to agriculture and their genetic relationship with the Mal and Htin subgroups.
Mlabri Weavers
The Mlabri are a hill tribe from northern Thailand. They live close to other ethnic groups in the north, including the Hmong. Their traditional way of life is nomadic. They do not have permanent houses but make temporary ones out of bamboo string or palm leaves. They also wear loin coverings made from cloth and bark. Their infant mortality rates were high.
The Jumbohammock project was originally a means of alternative income for the Mlabri. However, it has since expanded to include other disadvantaged groups in rural Thailand. The Hmong and the Northern Thai communities also participate in the project. Many of the weavers are older women, but some have small children. Some men help supplement the family’s income during the off-season.
The project began when an aid worker moved to the Mlabri region in the late 1970s. She and her family committed themselves to making the conditions for the Mlabri better. They worked hard to find alternative ways to earn an income and protect their culture. They eventually built a small village for the Mlabri to live in.
The Mlabri are Thai citizens, but they have struggled for recognition. Deforestation and other economic problems forced them to work for other tribes. The Mlabri often suffered slavery-like servitude and forced tour shows. In the past, they did not have the chance to educate themselves. Today, the Mlabri community has a school in Huai Hom Pattana, which provides education to their children.
Mo Hom Indigo Dye
The Mo Hom indigo dye process dates back two centuries. It involves a process where the cloth is submerged in a jar of indigo dye. The dye is obtained from different plant species and varies in hue from dark blue to light blue.
The natural indigo dyeing process is conducted twice daily, every six to eight hours. It can be repeated up to ten times to achieve the desired colour. Once dyed, the cloth is prepared for weaving. It is then used to make different products such as bags, mats, or cushions.
Mo Hom indigo dye is produced in Thailand. The village was once a Mon community and is now a vibrant cultural centre with a slow-living concept and traditions in arts and crafts. The village is home to a large market, open on Saturdays and Sundays, and the Slowstitch Studio, which sells naturally dyed textiles and interior goods.
Indigo dye is a unique material, and its use in textiles is an integral part of the Thai economy. This vibrant colour can be traced back to over six thousand years ago and is considered the king of all dyes. It has also been used in ancient civilizations worldwide. The dye also gives MohHom cloths a distinctive fragrant odour that repels insects and protects against harmful ultraviolet rays.
In the northeastern province of Thailand, indigo-dyed fabric is a valuable commodity. This investigation aims to understand the history of indigo-dyed fabrics and how traditional knowledge can be used to benefit the region. The data collected for the study were obtained from field research and document analysis conducted between July 2013 and 2014.
Ban Na Meun Sri Village
The Ban Na Menu Sri village in Thailand is an example of the traditional handloom weaving tradition in Thailand. The women of this village weave various types of fabrics for special occasions. The tradition of weaving almost came to an end during World War II, as cotton yarns were scarce. Eventually, people began to use manufactured fabrics and clothes instead of handcrafted textiles. Today, the Ban Na Menu Sri weaving group continues to work to keep their traditions alive. It now comprises more than 139 members, ranging in age from 18 to 50. The village generates about Bt8 million annually, while expenses amount to Bt100,000 per year.
In 1971, the village’s women revived this traditional craft. They gathered three weavers of the same age and trained them in traditional weaving techniques. The village’s first three patterns were recreated on traditional looms with the help of elderly guides. In the following years, the weaving group became famous and was eventually recognized as a community enterprise.
Today, the Ban Na Muen Sri village in Thailand and the history of bags, weaving, and embroidery are an important part of Thai culture. It is regarded as a role model for cultural preservation. Approximately 30 unique patterns were created in this village. Today, the villagers of Ban Na Menu Sri are proud of their handicrafts and local wisdom.
Ban Na Meun Sri Purses
Ban Na Menu Sri purses are hand-woven by women in this village. The traditional weaving methods were almost forgotten in the war but are still a part of daily life in the town. The weaving group is managed by the local elders and is committed to keeping the traditions alive. The group’s weaving museum showcases 100 hand-woven fabrics and offers many unique patterns.
Ban Map Lao Cha on the Village
The Ban Map Lao Cha On village in Thailand is a small, rural community that produces bags and weaving with a rich history. The Lahu people originally come from Laos and Myanmar and today live in northern Thailand, in the provinces of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Mae Hong Son. Their homes are built on stilts and have a central open area. They do not have much other than a few animals, like chickens. The village women are skilled in weaving cloth and producing patchwork trims and unique embroidery work.