IDENTITY COMMUNICATION OF SAKON NAKHON PROVINCE THROUGH NATURAL INDIGO DYED FABRICS

Abstract

The objective of this research was to study the identity communication of Sakon Nakhon Province through natural indigo-dyed fabrics. The researcher used a qualitative research methodology to collect information from the document and field study, including survey, observations, interviews, group discussions according to the concept of identity by purposive sampling, selecting 12 districts with outstanding identity in natural indigo-dyed fabric weaving, cultural and tourism aspects. The researcher uses a triangular approach to collect data, i.e., seeking the credibility of data from different sources. The researcher has synthesized the identity of Sakon Nakhon Province, through natural indigo – dyed fabrics into 3 aspects as follows:

1. Communicating Dharma principles through indigo-dyed fabrics, the production of Sakon Nakhon indigo dyed fabrics for each ethnic group in Sakon Nakhon Province. The white fibers are inserted into the fabric. It is like bringing the pure Dharma to remind not to cause much greed and to be honest to yourself and consumers. It reflects the culture of the community where the majority of people are Buddhist with beliefs in indigo dyeing that on Buddhist holy day people, do not dye indigo cloth. People who are menstruating, approaching the indigo pot will cause an elastic band, or those who wear perfume are forbidden to come close to the cauldron. It is important to meditate and be calm in making indigo – dyed woven cloth because indigo is life and the spirit of people who dyed fabrics to make rhythms of color and cotton.

2. Communicating through the nature of the product, the way of life of the people in the community is related to nature, life and inanimate. The production process of indigo-dyed fabrics uses raw materials that come from nature. In addition, the surrounding nature is brought to be created through imagination to create patterns on the fabric by using Mudmee Technique to create patterns. Every step of production, each ethnic group has a natural indigo dyeing formula with a unique identity that has been passed from generation to generation reflecting the nature of indigo – dyed woven fabrics.

3. Communication of local culture, in the past, the wisdom of indigo-dyed woven cloth had never been recorded in writing. The transmission was the way of telling through action. It was a learning and sharing experience a cultural capital, a way of life, beliefs, customs and rituals that have been passed from generation to generation reflecting the culture of each community through Method of making indigo dyed fabric and creating patterns that indicate social status, ethnicity, and community culture. It is the use of natural raw materials to create with local wisdom that make Sakon Nakhon indigo dyed fabrics valuable and visible to the eyes. This makes indigo-dyed fabrics become cultural which are unique to the community.