Identity and symbols of the ethnic Khmer in Thailand’s silk weaving cloths อัตลักษณ์และสัญลักษณ์ของผ้าไหมพื้นเมืองกลุ่มเขมรถิ่นไทย

Abstract

The objective of this article is to present the results of a research study on the identity and the symbolism of the silk weaving clothes of the ethnic Khmer in the northeast of Thailand. To obtain the research data, this qualitative research studied the related documents and field-work studies.  The interviews as well as the participant observation were also employed. The results found that the silk weaving clothes of the ethnic Khmer in Thailand can be divided into two groups which are; traditional pattern of silk weaving clothes and applied pattern of silk weaving clothes. The main identity of the traditional pattern of silk weaving clothes is that the original weaving process and patterns need to be strictly preserved, and it has been passed down from the weavers’ ancestors to their descendants. There are nine types of the traditional pattern of silk weaving clothes as following; 1) Hol (Water flow), 2) Kaniew (Tangled thread),  3) Amprom (Dotted pattern), 4) Anluunsiem (Siam pattern), 5) Labuek (Perforated cloth), 6) Samau (Terminalia bellirica), 7) Chanod leak (Silk mantles), 8) Sakuu (Double pattern) and 9) Pabro (Bottom fabric of silk skirt).  The key identity of the applied pattern of silk weaving clothes mainly have seven patterns which are; 1) Stripe pattern, 2) Grid pattern, 3) Net pattern, 4) Hook pattern or S-shaped pattern, 5) Diamond pattern, 6) Mixed-pattern (mixed of many several patterns) and 7) Artificial patterns depending on the weavers’ imaginations. The patterns on both types of the silk weaving clothes are symbolic that represent nature and fertility, happiness and beauty. They also reflect the way of life, beliefs and perspectives, and also the concept of auspicious, prosperity, power and safety.