อ่าข่าย็อง: พื้นที่การค้าในเมืองกับพลวัตทางชาติพันธุ์ของอ่าข่า

Abstract

This article discusses about the dynamics of Akhaness which immanent in Akha’s production and selling of tribal crafts at Chiang Mai night bazaar. At present, the life of Chiang Mai night bazaar depends deeply on the practices of Akha traders. Selling tribal crafts here is not only a means of obtaining economic income but also socio-cultural profits for redefining their ethnic identity. The word “urban Akha” has been intentionally used here to indicate that Akhaness depends definitely not on a particular physical area (mountainous area). Under the flows of globalization, the boundary of Akhaness has been transgressing, and reshaping at all times. An urban area or city is traditionally defined as “not a place for Akhas”. But for the Akhas who can find out the right place and the right time to represent their ethnic identity, the city, especially a tourist paradise like Chiang Mai, might be subjectively redefined as a place where Akhaness is in need. Living in the city call on the Akhas to negotiate incessantly with the otherness and, at the same time, even their own Akhaness. The main purpose of this article is to indicate that the dialectics which found in Akha yang is the most important basis for a reproduction of their ethnicity, even in the modern urban area.