Hill Tribe Museum, Chaing Rai

Today I visited the Hill Tribe Museum in Chaing Rai, the six major tribes are Karen (Kariang, Yang), the Hmong (Meo), the Yao (Mien), the Akha (Ekaw), the Lisu (Lisaw), and the Lahu (Mussur). Each tribe unique, with its own culture, religion, language, art and dress.

I wanted to see authentic traditional clothing of each tribe. The patterns and colours of the clothing are so beautiful, some taking one year to make because the embroidery is so detailed. The craftsmanship and labour is so impessive. Any celebration and the tribes will dress in their best and I can see why.

Halls of Opium, Golden Triangle Park

Halls of Opium, Chaing Saen, is a museum detailing the history of opium and the impacts of illegal drugs in the "Golden Triangle". The "Golden Triangle" sourced over half the worlds illegal heroin, i was unaware of the mystery and the dangers surrounding drug production and trafficking: civil wars, armies, police and summglers clashing, poor hill tribe farmers making a living from a beautiful but poisonous. plant. In 1988, the late Princess Mother initiated the Doi Tung Development Project with the aim of rehibilitating the forests and the lives of the people in the heart of the "Golden Triangle" in Thailand, ending their dependence on opium growing and use. Illegal drugs impacts soceity on all levels, from indiviuals and their families, to their local communities, and their countries. Visiting the exhibition highlighted the importance of the Development Project and shows how much Doi Tung has changed and developed over 20 years.

Later that day we visted the "Golden Triangle", the vast area if three countries-Laosm, Myanmar and Thailand. It was really touristy with big gold shiny Buddha's but we climbed up to a viewing point and found an anceint ruin of a temple, Wat Phra That Pu Khao which was a bit more authentic.

So far...

The past few days have been so interesting, the Doi Tung factory has a great community spirit and the workers are all warm and welcoming. I have been taken around the factory, the weaving department, yarn store, ceramics, dye house and paper making. Every small detail of the production process is hand crafted, the effort each worker puts in shows how proud they are of the devlopment project. The workers are very talented craftmens and just by watching them i will learn a lot from them.

Spinning yarn onto a bobbin in preaparation for weaving, the workers made it look very easy but it wasn't.

The weaving department is my main area of interest. I have had a shot on a loom, they are very traditional and manaually powered by the weaver. I'm looking forward to getting my own warp on soon! My time at the Doi Tung factory will be spent working on my own personal project and working along Nat, woven textile designer on summer 2010 fashion and accessories collection of scarves which will be limited collection.

Ready to go...

I have my suitcase packed and I'm set to fly to Thailand to begin my project! I will keep you all updated with my latest news and I hope to hear from you too!

Doi Tung Project

YouTube - Doi Tung Project by Asiatravel.com -watch the short film about the history of the project.

North of Chaing Ria, the Doi Tung Development Project (http://www.doitung.org)

was initiated by the Princess Mother in 1986. It is a holistic and integrated sustainable alternative livelihood development initiative which strives to ensure that the people of Doi Tung are economically self-reliant and able to continue the process of their own development as responsible citizens. The project works with local people by educating them with skills in dyeing, weaving, ceramics and paper making. By sourcing local materials their products do not compromise the environment or their own cultural values. I am flying out in one week and will be working with the Thai and UK design team for 3months and will keep you posted with my studio practice, woven textiles and research.