Application of Traditional Knowledge to Create Indigo-Dyed Fabric Products
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Asia Pacific Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, Vol. 3, No. 3, August 2015 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Application of traditional knowledge to create indigo-dyed fabric products in Sakon Nakhon Province, Thailand Chanitsara Duangbubpa, Songkoon Chantachon and Nuananong Pratumnet The Faculty of Cultural Science, Mahasarakham University, Khamriang Sub-District, Kantarawichai District, Maha Sarakham Province, 44150, Thailand [email protected] Date Received: April 25, 2015; Date Revised: June 2, 2015 Abstract – Indigo fabric is created by dying silk or cotton with color from the true indigo plant (Indigofera tinctoria) and is a valuable commodity in Northeastern Thai communities. This is a qualitative investigation with two principal research aims: 1) To study the history and background of indigo-dyed fabric in Sakon Nakhon Province; 2) To study the current conditions and application of traditional knowledge in creating indigo-dyed fabric in Sakon Nakhon Province, Thailand. Data for this investigation were collected from document analysis and field research between July 2013 and July 2014. Results show that weaving groups are sponsored by the government and the local community to produce indigo-dyed fabric that can be transformed into a variety of different products that meet consumer needs. These products include blankets, scarves, shawls, formal wear and bags. Weaving communities prefer to use materials from the surrounding environment. Community members cultivate their own true indigo plants using the traditional processes inherited from generation to generation. The dye creation process requires plant matter to be soaked in water for 24 hours before it can be used in the dye mixture. The traditional dye mixture is 4 liters of indigo plant, 2 liters of natural lye water and 1 tablespoon of white lime. During the dyeing process, the cotton fabric is stirred and wring in the dye mixture until the color holds. The fabric is then rested and the process is repeated to achieve the desired hue. The quality of the dye is then tested by washing the fabric in clean water. By applying the resourcefulness of traditional knowledge used in the dye creation process to the marketing and sale of indigo fabric, the entire production will benefit. Keywords – Indigo fabric, Northeastern Thailand, traditional knowledge, weaving. INTRODUCTION This plant has been used worldwide for over 6000 years In order to develop the domestic economy and as a to dye fabric but the techniques used to dye and create reaction to the global economic crisis, the Thai clothing differ from place to place. The history of government has placed an emphasis on the support of traditional indigo clothing in Thailand has not been well local industry and handicrafts. This policy of localism is documented and the practice disappeared fifty years ago consistent with the national economic principal of the [3]. A revival was started in 1992 in Sakon Nakhon “sufficiency economy” introduced by His Majesty King Province, a province in upper Isan which was an ideal Bhumibol Adulyadej and has also been integrated with location for quality indigo clothing due to the the tourism and export sectors [1]. Traditional Thai abundance of true indigo plants. In addition, the knowledge has evolved over the centuries out of human households of Sakon Nakhon had retained traditional interaction with the local environment and response to knowledge of indigo-dying techniques and weaving basic needs. One particularly large category of patterns. Given the importance of Sakon Nakhon traditional Thai knowledge is clothing [2]. This Province to the indigo fabric industry and the category of traditional Thai knowledge can be sub- government emphasis on localism, the researchers were divided by region and ethnic group. In Northeastern interested in analyzing the application of traditional Thailand (Isan) there is a large ethnic Tai-Lao presence. knowledge to create indigo-dyed fabric products in These groups have inherited the traditional weaving Sakon Nakhon Province, Thailand. knowledge of their ancestors and use it to produce a number of unique and beautiful fashions. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY Indigo fabric is created by dying silk or cotton with This is a qualitative investigation with two principal color from the true indigo plant (Indigofera tinctoria). research aims: 1) To study the history and background 6 P-ISSN 2350-7756 | E-ISSN 2350-8442 | www.apjmr.com Asia Pacific Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, Vol. 3, No. 3, August 2015 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ of indigo-dyed fabric in Sakon Nakhon Province; 2) To (Indigofera tinctoria). Originally, indigo-dyed clothing study the current conditions and application of was produced for use in the household and for work in traditional knowledge in creating indigo-dyed fabric in the fields. In 1998, the indigo-dyed fabric of Sakon Sakon Nakhon Province, Thailand. Nakhon generated high interest and its production was sponsored by the Office of Community Development. MATERIALS AND METHODS This initiative was also supplemented by a team of Data for this investigation were collected from academic researchers from the Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat document analysis and field research between July 2013 University. The research team trained local weavers in and July 2014. Weaving communities in Sakon Nakhon traditional production techniques, clothing design and Province were purposively selected to comprise the marketing, helping to distribute the indigo-dyed fabric research area for this investigation. Communities of Sakon Nakhon to other provinces across Thailand. In chosen were Ban Tam Tao, Ban Bawa, Ban Don Goi, 2005, the indigo-dyed fabric of Sakon Nakhon was Ban Na Dee, Ban Panna and Ban Ton. Criteria for popular internationally as well as domestically, which research area selection were as follows: The community saw its elevation to OTOP status, a nationwide program was in Sakon Nakhon Province; The community had to promote one traditional product in each sub-district. inherited traditional knowledge of indigo fabric dying It is a product that sells well and can generate and weaving techniques; The community contained considerable income for the local community. continuously operating indigo-dyed fabric production Each weaving group investigated during this groups; and the community supported indigo-dyed research was sponsored by the government and the local fabric production and application of traditional community to produce indigo-dyed fabric that can be knowledge to create a community economy. transformed into a variety of different products that The research population was taken as individuals meet consumer needs. These products include blankets, from these six communities. The research sample was scarves, shawls, formal wear and bags. However there purposively selected and individuals were divided into is insufficient budget to continually produce such a one of three groups: key informants, casual informants variety of products. and general informants. The key informant group was Weaving communities prefer to use materials from composed of a provincial development officer, a the surrounding environment. Community members provincial agricultural officer, three district community cultivate their own true indigo plants using the development officers, three district agricultural officers, traditional processes inherited from generation to six sub-district administrators, six weaving group generation. In the past, cotton was also grown by the chairmen, six local indigo-dyed fabric experts, two weavers. However, the nurturing of cotton plants designers and two sales representatives. There were 30 requires patience and care and often the yield is key informants. The casual informant group was insufficient for indigo-dyed fabric production. As a composed of 10 production group members from each result, modern weaving communities purchase cotton of the six communities, totaling 60 individuals. The fabric from wholesalers or directly from cotton mills. general informant group consisted of 10 consumers, 10 The equipment used in the weaving process is the same tourists and 10 general government officials. There as in the past because indigo-dyed fabric is still were thirty general informants. produced by hand in the communities studied. The Data collection tools used in the field were equipment used in the weaving process is a wooden- participant and non-participant observation, structured framed handloom, a beater to push the weft of yarn in and unstructured interview, focus group discussion with place, a heddle to separate the warp threads, a shuttle 6-12 participants and a workshop. All data were and a reel. Over time, the weaving equipment has validated using a four-stage triangulation method: data deteriorated and there is a lack of skilled artisans to triangulation, investigator triangulation, theory repair the tools and create new ones. triangulation and methodological triangulation [4]. The The patterns used in the creation of indigo-dyed data were categorized according to the three aims of the fabric have been developed from traditional designs to research and analyzed by analytic induction and be more modern. Consumers prefer designs that tell a typological analysis. The results are presented here as a story and relate to the events at which the fabric is worn descriptive