|
Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre
Ethnic Groups Research Database |
|
Record |
|
 |
Subject |
Lahu, local handicraft, Royal Project, Chiang Mai, northern region, Thailand |
Author |
Thanya Phromburom, Wisuthorn Jitaree |
Title |
A Feasibility Study in Developing Local Handicraft and Marketing in Areas under the Royal Project: A Case Study of Lahu Textiles |
Document Type |
Research Paper |
Original Language of Text |
- |
Ethnic Identity |
Lahu,
|
Language and Linguistic Affiliations |
- |
Location of
Documents |
Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre
[Full text] |
Total Pages |
99 |
Year |
2007 |
Source |
Institute of Highland Research and Development |
Abstract |
The Lahu involved in this study were the Black Lahu (Lahu Na) and they perceived that handicraft products were beneficial, could generate supplementary income aside from farming and could transfer weaving knowledge to younger generations. Lahu women have taught weaving techniques to their daughters, but it has depended on interest of individuals, as young generations nowadays are not interested in weaving. The primary needs of the producers have been monetary assistance and marketing. For the production promotion, it was revealed that although the handicraft process was time consuming to produce, they could still get a good price. The producers wanted to participate on a condition that they did not have to find the market themselves and were willing to teach others weaving and production techniques, so that outsiders could know more about Lahu products. The Nong Khiaw producers established a production group in order to be able to produce and sell more and to give one another moral support. For their production capability, almost all households were able to weave with their back-strap looms of 4.5 inches in width. For the Pha Tai group, their production potential was high because the group leader was efficient with a wide vision, loved handicraft work, was a skillful seamstress, and played an important role in transferring tailoring skills to group members. The production potential of Nong Khiaw producers was low because they did not establish a group at the time of this investigation. However, they were able to produce if there were orders. For cultural production, most of the products were shoulder bags with ethnic designs for domestic use rather than for sale. The producers did not know or could not tell stories about their works due to lack of knowledge transference. Present designs were a mixture of traditional and modern. For production problems, finance and marketing were the most serious problems as they did not have enough capital to buy raw materials. In addition, the materials were getting more expensive and the market was not certain, forcing many producers to give up production because it was not cost-effective. As for the administration problems, money was the main problem to buy raw materials for production members. For marketing problems, Pha Tai producers could produce a variety of products in addition to ethnic shoulder bags. However, the market was not certain, depending on the number of tourists. They also produced woven cloth sold by meter to Lisu traders. Shoulder bags were also made when there were orders.
|
|
|