Chiang Mai; A Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art Realizing the urgency of saving precious mankind heritage, the vision and mission of this cultural project need to concentrate on establishing “creative economy” aiming to provide a firm foundation for economic provisions backed by knowledge base technology, instigation, innovation, and creative revival development of traditional crafts and folk art in the city of Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai Provincial Administration Organization in co-ordination with Chiang Mai University has set up this platform of “Chiang Mai Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art” in order to instigate collaborations between public and private sectors to uplift the value of cultural assets inspired by regional participation in art and craft heritages. The platform has intentions : -1. To encourage local people and entrepreneurs to investigate creative ideas and procedures towards productions of contemporary crafts and folk art. 2. To provide new economic possibilities for local craft communities, entrepreneurs, and marketing. 3. To confirm strong creative network of crafts and folk art among neighboring regional cities. 4. To verify and setup knowledge of creative concept among government agencies involved, craft masters, and member of new generation craftsmen by allowing them to participate in workshops, events, and showcases of crafts and folk art instigated by the project.
Mr.Boonlert Buranapakorn Mayer of Chiang Mai City
Chiang Mai Physical and Historical Background Chiang Mai is geographically located on a wide river-basin bordered by low hills and highlands on all sides. The original fortified city situates on the plain west of river Ping at the foot of the western -slope mountainous range of Doi Suthep stretching north to south allowing a growth of middle-size urban sprawl communities. The history of Chiang Mai’s early establishment is based on the story of King Mung Rai and “The Three Kings” during the end of 13th century (1296 A.D.). This unique city would later be considered the most outstanding representation of ethnic “Tai-Dai” civilization of Southeast Asia and reflected the concept of a “Living City’, well surrounded by farmland and rich natural environment. The traditions and beliefs of its people are based on practices in animism fused with later arrivals of Buddhism and Brahmin religions, creating unique traditions, and graceful ceremonies --- characteristic of heartland Southeast Asia which has been passed down from generations to generations. The history of Chiang Mai can be divided into six main periods: 1. Pre-History (5000 – 2000 BC) developments of tribal societies. 2. Haripunchai (4th - 13th century AD) developments of Lawa and Mon social structure. 3. The Lanna Kingdom (1296 – 1558 A.D.) founding of Chiang Mai City and the ruling of Mung Rai Dynasty. 4. The Burmese and Ayutthaya Dominations (1558 – 1774 A.D.) 5. The Dynasty of Seven Overlord (1774 – 1940 A.D.) The Age of Restoration and Regenerations. (Under Bangkok Domination) 6. Chiang Mai as Nation State Era (1940 – Present) Chiang Mai reflects a classical “Living City” concept - a synergy between the way of life with spiritual beliefs, graceful traditions, situated in gentle and tropical natural surroundings, render itself to create a perfect harmonious “Feng Shui”, an uncomparably beautiful city of Southeast Asia.
Chiang Mai City and Its Expression of Values, Customs, Traditions, Culture and Crafts From past to present, Chiang Mai has always been a city of multicultural mix, home to a great diversity of ethnic groups, beliefs and faiths, traditions, architecture, and art. This spectrum of different influences has made Chiang Mai the perfect city, affectionately known as the “Living City”. Chiang Mai boasts its identity in terms of local culture, traditions, handicrafts, fine arts, and architecture. This distinction is a testament to the great diversity of ethnic groups that have co-inhabited the city for many centuries, exchanging elements and blending between themselves both in urban areas, as well as those from surrounding areas, unlike anywhere else. Chiang Mai has been considered “a city of ethnic and cultural diversity”, because it has been an important crossroad of caravans and trader, namely the Tai Yuan (native population of Mekhong River Basin) Tai Lue of Sibsong Banna, Tai Shan of Salwin River Basin, Tai Khun of Keng Tung, and Tai Lao of Mekhong River, Each group characterized by livelihoods, languages, culinary habits, and traditions, despite their former homeland. Although lacking any significant historical relationship, these different ethnic groups migrated to Chiang Mai, bringing along their cultures and traditions to merge not only with other communities from the surrounding plains, but also with groups form distant countries namely Burma, China, and Laos. The wide range of backgrounds form the unique culture of Chiang Mai, which clearly reflects the diversity, individuality and rich background. Refined techniques of crafts styles developed into incredible form in architecture, art, music and culinary arts, retaining tints of the original roots. Despite being 750 years old, the heritage of Chiang Mai continues to be preserved and cherished through the cultural values, traditions, arts, crafts, architecture, and people’s way of life.
Chiang Mai as a Reflection of the “Organic and Living City” Chiang Mai is a city with a long history and rich heritage that has survived continually over many generations, maintained by the spiritual and cultural connections , its citizens, and the surrounding natural environment through the fusion of Buddhist and Brahman spiritual beliefs, traditions, cultural value can be identify by the three key elements of the city. Urban Planning & Design (Value of Town Plan) The main urban planning concept is based on the principal of achieving harmonization of the city with the surrounding natural environments. The overall composition, orientation and construction of the city, is based on axial direction of infrastructure which provide orderliness and practical system suitable for an efficient town plan.Significant physical features of the area, such as Doi Suthep Mountain and its foothills, the Ping River and its plains, the Mae Kha Canal, and surrounding agricultural areas exhibit thoughtful and practical layout. The North – South orientation follows seasonal monsoon winds. Buildings & Architectural Elements Reflecting Urban Design Concepts Buildings and architectural elements include the city’s defensive walls, pillars, gates, fortresses and moats, along with temples and other spiritually or historically significant structures and sites, which are located and oriented according to principal urban planning concepts.
Cultural Beliefs, Customs, Traditions and Practice by Citizens (Value of Town Culture) The sense of cultural importance which binds people and reinforces the spirit of adoration for their homeland is maintained through their traditions and rituals, such as veneration of ancestral and guardan spirits of the city (City Pillar). These aspects is shown by Chiang Mai having concern about sacred entity by taking care, keeping protection, respect, and reverence in order to preserve its essence and power, thus prolong its existence. When misfortune, danger, or suffering befall on the land, the citizens conduct a “city life prolonging� ceremony to help ensure the survival, and security of the city. These beliefs have been an integral part of Chiang Mai ever since the city was founded during the time of King Mung Rai, and continue up to present. The North gate (White Elephant Gate) is considered the head of the city, there for must receive respectful treatment, auspicious and welcome entry ceremony take place here. The Southwest gate (Suan Pung) take the lowest position of the city layout, it serves as an equivalent of the city latrine, and also the only proper exit for the deceased. The mid-town gum tree serves as the navel of Chiang Mai, which is also the abode for city protective power and must be treated with proper sacrifice and honoring, normally take place for seven day nights during mid-May (Inthakin Ceremony) before arrival of monsoon rains.
Importance of Cultural Heritage at a City Level Chiang Mai is a city that reflects and sums up the concept of a “Living City”. The process of preserving the spiritual and cultural connections with physical elements, surrounding natural environment, and people’s way of life help to guide the urban planning process to producing a harmonious whole. Cultural heritage, as is an integral part of the physical constitution of the urban environment, help to lay the principal foundation for maintaining the authentic essence of the city. Though cultural significance of Chiang Mai is based on intangible heritage, but it is the tangible elements, such as forms and styles, or ways of life, are the clearest expression of values and beliefs which rely on the interconnectivity of its constituent parts, akin to a living organism, The following are examples of tangible symbols that can well express the cultural heritage of Chiang Mai. Heritage that Reflects Family, Kinship, and Community Values Cultural heritage that reinforces people’s beliefs from household level to civic level provides a common connection for people in the community, important as social foundation which helps to unite the city life style of Chiang Mai.
Heritage that Reflects the Values of the City and Cultural Landscape Heritage sites reflect the values, beliefs, and faiths of the people in the city coming from diverse background ethnicities, religions, and lifestyles providing common connections between citizens, facilitating a harmonious community.
Heritage in Arts and Crafts as Reflection of Finesse and Sophistication Refined choice in design is one of the major character that help to express the life style of the city. The fine quality handicrafts and folk art of Chiang Mai are always consider important means of life for most citizens. Creativity in everyday lives that has always been honored for hundreds of years, therefore the techniques and knowledge of design still continue to be taught, shared, and inherited. These local arts and crafts draw from countless neighboring influence and inspiration. In the city itself cultural exchange between Tai groups and other minority continue endlessly producing very distinguished craft products, uniquely Chiang Mai Style, fill city shops and markets with: • Bamboo weaving & wicker crafts • Textiles • Pottery • Wood carving • Metalwork • Paper crafts (such as decorative umbrellas and flowers)