Far-flung Places — Mae Sariang, Mae Hong Son
I was curious of Mae Sariang town’s proximity to the frontier areas between Thailand and Burma. Mae Hong Son province and the bordering Kayin State of Burma are abundantly mountainous jungle. This vast array of forest encompasses the Salawin National Park and access can be difficult. This region is home to the Karen people, one of the largest hilltribes in Southeast Asia with a total population of three million in Burma, Laos and Thailand. The town of Mae Sariang, detailed in Mae Hong Son Province and towns, is an excellent base for travelling into the borderlands. Staying a night at the Riverhouse Hotel, I uncovered a book titled Sop Moei Arts. As soon as I picked this up I was engrossed. From my early years I’ve been fascinated by contributing in countries where relative inequality and underdevelopment exists. Recently, I’ve discovered various projects that encourage evolution yet maintain customs and culture. These inspire me to support and educate people and nations.
Sop Moei Arts
Every culture must liberate its creative potential by finding the correct equilibrium between isolation and contact with others. Claude Levi-Strauss
History
1977 was the year Sop Moei Art’s original involvement with the Pwo Karen people of Sop Moei district, Mae Hong Son began. The Pwo Karen, found on lofty mountain ridges and deep valleys, are believed to be the smallest Thai tribe. They undertake a hard living from the jungle, using self sufficient skills while practicing animistic beliefs, detached from education and modern healthcare. Although there are various Karen tribes which are distinct in customs and traditions, all share remarkable skills in the art of weaving. This is something they take great pride in. Kent and Britt-Marie Gregory first established a maternal and child health care program in the Karen villages of Mae Sariang.
Modern Day
A way of articulating and promoting cultural identity is through traditional arts and crafts. Sop Moei Arts’ has strived to revive, preserve and continue developing the textile and basket weaving skills of the Pwo Karen. Kent Gregory now works with the assistance of international designers to bridge the transition between the villagers and markets in Thailand and abroad. Sop Moei Arts’ weaving and basketry project aims to assist in marketing of local products by adaptation and innovation to suit the global market. Fitting then, that their proficiencies are a mechanism in improving their material standards of living and quality of life.
Cultural identity debate
While it appears that cultural identity is vulnerable having contact with the external world, experience indicates that culture has always been dynamic and evolved as humanity faced new circumstances. The enigma of globalisation is perhaps that while all cultures and societies now engage in a shared frame of reference, the contrast in identities becomes more significant and noticeable. Sop Moei Arts shows the difference a small-scale development project can make, both to conserve and enhance the indigenous skills along with providing employment and education in communities.
Personal interest
A footnote is that Sop Moei Arts (location not to be confused with the Sop Moei region, encompassing Mae Sariang) opened shops in Chiang Mai and Bangkok displaying the products. When visiting the Wat Ket area of Chiang Mai, I called in to the shop and Kent happened to be working. I spoke with him about the knowledge I had gained, and how interesting it was, referring to the book. On departing the shop he took my email as well as asking if I would like to journey into the villages with him. I hope to do this when I’m more proficient in Thai, incorporating travel around the Mae Sariang area at the same time.
