From Silk Traditions of Ancient Kui People to Creation of Folk Dances Performance: 'Klaemor Kui Takhian

Abstract

This study about upgrading the process of dyeing silk with natural dyes of the ancient Kui people. To experience the traditional dance performance of Samrong Thap Subdistrict Samrong, Thap District Surin Province. This is a qualitative research. Collecting data by non-participant observation, structured and non structured interview, and focus group discussing. The data was analyzed by descriptive analysis.
The results of the study found that the wisdom of dyeing silk from ebony involves a total of 8 steps. Originally, it was only worn for rituals. Nowadays, we have made ebony-dyed fabric into shirts and skirts which combines traditional embroidery with modern knowledge in modern pattern design. Embroidery is added to clothing to be worn during traditional merit-making ceremonies in the village such as red ant-legged patterns, centipede patterns, Pikun flower patterns, and starburst patterns. In order to enhance the level of local wisdom, clothing with embroidered patterns in silk is used in traditional dancing performances. Galmoguytakhian created the dancing performance. inspired by the study of the Ban Takhian Gale rituals. It was created for treatment. The ritual was consisted of 7 steps. The dancing were designed from the manners of the ancestor ghost which invited into the medium and also imitated the manners of elephants and horses in the forest. There are 55 dancing patterns that divided into 3 parts. The first part is the situation of the patient who asks the medium to consider the symptoms and the treatment which consisted of 33 dancing patterns. The second one is about the communication between the medium, the deities and the ancestor ghost that invited to dance in the holy place which consisted of 6 dancing patterns. The last part shows the methods of treatment which consisted of 16 dancing patterns.

Keywords: Folk Dance, Klaemor Kuy Takhian, Embroidering, Creativity