An Application of Indigenous Knowledge for Conservation and Development of the Production Process of Silk Cloths

Abstract

Problem statement: This study generated from the process of production of silk cloths as the Isan (northeast Thailand) identity with complicated production stages. It takes a long time with low compensations and it is unworthy of investment. Isan people of a new generation have gone to be hired to do other kinds of work. They are not interested in adhering to Isan silk cloth weaving culture. The study purposed were to examine the background of indigenous knowledge concerning Isan silk-cloth identity production and applying the indigenous knowledge to conservation and development of the production process. Approach: The study was conducted in Isan in these 3 Changwat: The Saket silk-cloth weaving group at Ban Po Phan, Mu 6, Amphoe Mueang, Changwat Roi Et; the Phrae wa silk-cloth weaving group at Ban Phon, Amphoe Kham Muang, Changwat Kalasin and the Yok Thong Phan Takro silk-cloth weaving group at Ban Tha Sawang, Amphoe Mueang, Changwat Surin. Changwat Roi Et, Changwat Kalasin and Changwat Surin. The qualitative research methodology was used. Data were collected from documents and related literature and from field studies by means of interviews and focus group discussion from a group of 90 informants. The collected data were checked using the triangulation technique. The study findings were presented by means of a descriptive analysis. Results: The background of Isan silk-cloth identity production, it was found that there was the identity of each specific group, indicating the ethnic group. They had different production processes generated from the use of indigenous knowledge to apply to conservation and development of the production process. For the current conditions and problems, the production has complicated stages. People of the new generation are not interested in cloth-weaving culture. Conclusion: Isan silk-cloth identity had different backgrounds in each local area, the production processes are not similar to each other. For all these, it has generated from adherence to culture, application of indigenous to conservation and development of the production process wit the purpose to be the identity of each specific group.