On Nature and Naga: A French Ecofeminist Analysis of Khamiliasichomphu’s Nakha Kiawchan

Abstract

Nakha Kiawchan, a recently released paranormal romance novel in 2023, was written by the bestselling author Khamiliasichomphu. The novel gives vivid details about characters’ sexuality as well as discussion about Nature during historical Lanna teak industry in the 19^th century. Due to its heavy ecological leaning and critique about male-female relationship, this novel can be regarded within an ecofeminist framework presented by Françoise d’Eaubonne, as ecofeminism considers both subjects inseparable. The term ‘ecofeminism’ was coined by Françoise d’Eaubonne and will be used as a theoretical framework in literary analysis. Despite being written since the 70s, d’Eaubonne’s critique proves its lasting relevance in analyzing and understanding gender roles and man-nature relationship in this novel. Nakha Kiawchan offers an interesting mix of traditional gender roles, the contradicting of values between the liberating and feminist Lanna matriarchy and the patriarchal and oppressive Kheud customs. The novel gives readers the descriptions of natural resources, natural disasters, as well as supernatural beings representing Divine Nature – all connected and can be discussed within d’Eaubonnian ecofeminist views. This article announces its much-needed breakthrough study in Thai literature, contemporary corpus and ecological writings published in  2023.