Knowledge Management of Khmer Handicraft Wisdom in Thai Communities: Ban Yang Village, Surin Province, Thailand

Abstract

Background: The indigenous craft wisdom of the Thai-Khmer community in Ban Yang, Surin Province, Thailand is deeply embedded in life-cycle rituals, ancestral beliefs, and everyday cultural practices. This knowledge represents an important component of the community’s cultural heritage and identity, reflecting accumulated experiences and skills transmitted across generations. However, the community currently faces structural challenges that weaken the continuity of this knowledge, including low household income, agricultural dependency, labor outmigration, and a declining number of young successors. As a result, indigenous knowledge had increasingly become fragmented, tacit, and unevenly transmitted across generations, despite its continued cultural significance. Much of this knowledge remains undocumented and is mainly transmitted through oral traditions and practical engagement within community rituals and daily activities. In response, the community recognized the need to collectively organize, document and transmit its craft wisdom through a community-led knowledge management process, aiming to strengthen intergenerational learning and enable the sustainable use of indigenous knowledge in both educational and community contexts.

Objectives: This research aimed to develop a participatory knowledge management process for documenting and transmitting Thai-Khmer handicraft wisdom in Surin Province. The specific objectives of this research  were: (1) to study the historical background, community context, and lifestyle of the Thai-Khmer community in Surin Province; (2) to examine indigenous handicraft wisdom related to life-cycle rituals practiced within the Thai-Khmer community; and (3) to develop knowledge management guidelines for producing a handbook entitled “Thai-Khmer Handicraft Wisdom in Surin Province: Community Dimensions, Development, and Sustainability” to support learning in the Social Studies, Religion, and Culture subject area.

Methodology: This research employed a qualitative ethnographic approach combined with participatory knowledge management processes. The study was conducted in communities within the Surin cultural landscape where traditional handicraft practices related to ritual activities are still maintained and practiced by local artisans. Data were collected through multiple qualitative methods, including in-depth interviews, participant observation, field documentation, and group discussions. A total of twenty-five local artisans and knowledge holders were purposively selected as key informants based on their expertise and long-term experience in producing ritual-related handicrafts. These artisans represented different craft traditions, including weaving, bamboo craft, ritual decoration, and ceremonial object production. The knowledge management process followed the SECI model (Socialization, Externalization, Combination, Internalization) consisting of four stages: socialization, externalization, combination, and internalization. Initially, tacit knowledge from artisans was collected through interviews and observation of craft production processes. This knowledge was then documented, organized, and categorized according to different ritual contexts and life-cycle ceremonies. Based on the collected information, a practical handicraft handbook was developed. The handbook presents explanations of materials, tools, production processes, and cultural meanings associated with each craft item. Training workshops were organized for youth participants, including demonstrations and hands-on practice. Pre- and post-training assessments were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the handbook and the learning activities.

Results and Findings: The findings indicate that local handicrafts play a crucial role in supporting ritual practices and maintaining cultural continuity within the Surin cultural landscape. Various types of handicraft items were identified as integral components of ritual activities, including woven containers for ceremonial offerings, bamboo ritual structures, decorative craft objects, ceremonial trays, and symbolic items used in life-cycle ceremonies. The knowledge collection process successfully documented important information regarding raw materials, production techniques, cultural meanings, and ritual contexts associated with each handicraft item. The study also revealed that most handicraft knowledge is experiential and traditionally transmitted through observation and practice rather than through formal educational systems. The classification of handicrafts according to life-cycle rituals helped clarify the cultural functions of different craft items within community ceremonies. For example, certain woven objects are specifically associated with wedding ceremonies, while particular decorative craft elements are used in ordination rituals and funeral rites. The developed handbook organized this knowledge into a clear and accessible format, including visual illustrations and step-by-step production explanations. Training workshops using the handbook enabled youth participants to better understand both the cultural significance and practical techniques of local handicrafts. Evaluation results indicated that participants demonstrated increased knowledge and improved basic craft skills after participating in the training activities.

Outcome, Impact and Sustainability: This research resulted in the documentation of local handicraft knowledge related to ritual practices in the Surin cultural landscape and the development of a practical handbook for knowledge transmission. These outputs contribute to the preservation of local cultural heritage by transforming tacit knowledge into a structured learning resource. The project also strengthened collaboration between local artisans and youth participants, encouraging intergenerational knowledge exchange within the community. The handbook can be applied in community learning programs, local schools, and cultural development initiatives. In the long term, the documentation and transmission of handicraft knowledge can support cultural preservation, community identity, creative cultural industries, and cultural tourism. Continued cooperation among communities, educational institutions, and cultural organizations will be essential for ensuring the sustainability of these initiatives.