Local Wisdom Management of Cloth Weaving Group in Wiangyong Sub-District, Amphoe Mueang, Lamphun Province

Abstract

This research aimed to investigate patterns and procedures of weaving Lamphun brocade silk, to study designs and evolution of Lamphun brocade silk and to manage knowledge on weaving brocade silk of cloth weaving group in Wiangyong sub-district, Muang district, Lamphun province. The results of the research found that weaving procedures started from graphic designing, thread spinning, thread pulling, thread reeling, thread winding, sewing frame arrangement, threads pattern arrangement by heddles (keb-ta-kor-yeab), inserting flower design, designing thread by heddles (keb-takor-dok) and brocade weaving. Cloth weaving equipment consisted of loom, thread bunch, puller, thread reel, heddle, shuttle, designing thread, threads pattern arrangement, reed, picking up stick, beater, pedal, embroidered stick, and threads pattern arrangement stick. Brocade silk designs were adapted from Thai designs and applied to weavers’ needs. Cloth colors would be natural. In the past, graphic designing would be done on graph paper and after that computer was applied for designing, which made designing to be done more easily. The result on managing knowledge was tacit knowledge. Members produced brocades according to their own needs. They acquired knowledge from ancestors by observing, remembering and practicing to build proficiency. Knowledge codification was not apparent without categorization. Knowledge sharing was done informally through conversations between members and learned by practicing. Knowledge transfer was done by demonstrating and describing procedures of weaving brocade silk to descendants and interested people. Knowledge storing was based on people by memorizing from ancestors and done in the form of documents to show details of basic weaving procedures.