1. CHINANANG SAWADRAM - Ph. D. Student, Cultural Art and Design Program, Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, Khon Khaen
University.
2. THANASIT CHANTAREE - Associate Professor, Dr. Thesis Advisor, Design Program, Faculty of Architecture, Khon Kaen University.
3. TEERAYUT PENGCHAI - Assistant Professor, Dr. Thesis Advisor, Product Design Program, Faculty of Humanities and Social
Sciences, Udon Thani Rajabhat University.
The research article entitled “Identities of Luang Prabang Tai-Lue Woven Fabrics” aimed to study the development of Luang Prabang Tai-Lue woven fabrics. The informants of this research comprised the experts of Luang Prabang Tai-Lue woven fabrics, manufacturers and distributors of Luang Prabang TaiLue woven fabrics, designers of fashion textiles, target consumers, tourists, and working-age people. The following instruments were employed in this research: preliminary field survey, interview, design assessment, opinion survey questionnaire, design satisfaction questionnaire, observation, and analysis based on the concepts, theories, and related literature. The study found that Luang Prabang Tai-Lue woven fabrics have its roots in weaving culture from the Tai-Lue Xishuangbanna ethnic group. Women have the roles and duties based on traditional culture where women are encouraged to learn and practice weaving patterns inherited from the past as fabrics are one of the four essentials for life. A collective identity of Luang Prabang Tai-Lue woven fabrics has evolved into an individual identity -- the use of locally handcrafted cotton fibers made from cotton spinning as the main material, dyes made from natural materials, dark blue color (Nam Nil Dye) made from Hom leaves, and woven with the technique of Jok Koh (Luang) Khit Yok, the collective identity of Tai-Lue weaving. The patterns have been developed from abstract beliefs, beliefs in nature, faith in Buddhism, myths, stories, imagination, way of life, living areas, traditions, and ancient rituals that have been passed down from the ancestors. The concrete individual identity found on the patterns are as follows: 1) supernatural patterns, such as Singha or Mom, Nak Klong or Naga head, Nak Khai (Mermaid Naga); 2) animal patterns such as elephants and birds; 3) plant patterns such as Khom Dok Kaew and Dok Mob Noi; 4) natural patterns such as Nam Lai. Fabric patterns are always associated with beliefs of the weavers themselves. In other words, supernatural patterns are the symbols of power and refer to Himmapan Forest, holiness or representation of heaven, and giving birth. In addition, Luang Prabang Tai-Lue woven fabrics are connected with the way of life, ritual cloths, and religious cloths, which all convey positive messages such as virtue, value, beauty, happiness, heaven, brightness, greatness, strength, unity, power, fortune, nobility, faith, calmness, growth etc.
identity, Tai-Lue woven fabrics, Luang Prabang.