EXPLORING ANG SILA HANDWOVEN MOTIFS FOR A DANCE EXPRESSING LOCAL IDENTITY: A CASE OF TOR LAI WISIT PHUSA

Abstract

This article presents a creative work derived from the dance thesis entitled “Tor Lai Wisit Phusa”: A Choreographic Creation Inspired by Ang Sila Handwoven Textiles. The objective of the study is to develop a dance performance that reflects both the traditional weaving process and the distinctive textile patterns of Ang Sila. Employing a qualitative research methodology integrated with creative practice, data were collected through a review of academic literature and interviews with local textile artisans. These findings were then analyzed and applied to the choreographic development.

The performance is structured into two parts: the first part depicts the sequential process of handweaving, while the second part interprets the aesthetic characteristics and cultural significance of the textile motifs. The choreographic concept is grounded in the transformation of traditional weaving activities into a codified dance language, organized through a pre-determined narrative structure. Each phase of the weaving process is reimagined through movement imagery, allowing the bodily actions of weavers to be abstracted into stylized choreography. The use of tangible materials—such as threads, fabrics, shuttles, and traditional looms—as part of the performance serves to evoke a symbolic “visual memory” that connects audiences with the cultural context of local craftsmanship.

This choreographic approach underscores the integration of embodied knowledge and material culture, presenting an innovative means of preserving and reinterpreting intangible heritage through Thai dance creation. Furthermore, original music composed using traditional Thai instruments enhances the narrative and supports the overall thematic structure of the work.