Lanna Crafts VI

Lanna Cultures & Traditions:

Along with the long history of Lanna Kingdom, its remarkable cultures & traditions are also presented via Lanna Crafts or Handmade Products.

Picture of Sky Lantern or Floating Lantern called
Khom Loy (Thai word) especially in
Yee Peng festival

In present day, even many races or communities of people inhabit Lanna area in northern of Thailand; people from Bangkok or other parts of Thailand, foreigners from USA, Europe, India, Arab, etc., but the original Lanna people still inherit the Lanna cultures & traditions from their ancestors by performing in their day-life, beliefs, rituals, traditions and arts.

Lanna cultures and traditions are adopted from many groups of their ancestors, i.e. Lua, Man, Mon, Meng, Tai, Tai Lue, Lanchang, Haripunchai, Sipsongpanna and Burmese. During 216 years under Burmese rule, Lanna people were captured to Burma many times whom including monks and craftmen (goldsmith, sculptor, lacquer ware maker, etc.). On the contrary, Burmese people and other communities were also captured to Lanna whenever Lanna Kingdom was in strong periods. The cultural & traditional trends were acculturated and transferred between them as river tides.

As we can see the Burmese cultures in many temples of Lanna, for example, Wat San Fang in Chiang Mai, Wat Sri Chum in Lampang, etc. Burmese craftmen also inherit Lanna cultures, as now there are still special carving pattern called Chiang Mai pattern and Ayutthaya pattern in Burma (Myanmar).

Today recommended Crafts/Handmade Products:

LK Atelier "Chiang Mai" 
Sterling Silver 
Hoop Earrings

- ‘LK Atelier "Chiang Mai" Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings’, stylish and wearable. They are the perfect hoop earrings, hammered finish creates sparkling effect evocative of a Thai temple's shimmering roof, simple and elegant; great for day to evening. A handmade tribute to the beauty and spirituality of Northern Thailand's capital city, Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Cotton table runner,
Millenary Black Lanna

- ‘Cotton table runner, Millenary Black Lanna’, from NOVICA*, Lanna's millenary artistry inspires Kanjana in the design of this black table runner. Sewn of cotton, the runner features the harmonious encounter between classic Thai brocade with a speckled composition. The table runner is decorated with pompoms, tassels and glass beads in a festive palette of purple, green, yellow, red, blue and orange hues. Dry in the shade, lay flat to dry, hand wash separately in cold water.

*NOVICA: who works in association with National Geographic, searches the world to work directly with the finest artisan designers.

(To be continued)

Lanna Crafts V

Lanna History (cont.):

The Lanna Kingdom history should be ended in this post, but many stunning Lanna Crafts will still be shown further in next posts of Lanna Cultures and Traditions.

Picture of Napamaytanidol Chedi and Phra Mahathat Napaphon Bhumisiri Chedi at Doi Inthanon National Park (The Highest Mountain in Thailand) in Chiang Mai province, Thailand.

Age of Lanna Kingdom under Siamese (Thai) Rule was in the period of 2317-2427 B.E.. In 2317 B.E. after Siamese (Thai) King Taksin the Great conquered the Lanna Kingdom, Phraya Chaban (Boonma) was installed as the King of Chiang Mai and a local chief Kawila as the King of Lampang, both as vassals of Siam by Lanna traditional rules.

Nevertheless Burma (Myanmar) still tried to regain Lanna Kingdom several times, King Chaban protected Chiang Mai as strongly as possible until he passed away during the reign of King Rama 1 of Siam. Then King Rama 1 appointed King Kawila of Lampang to rule Chiang Mai further. King Kawila had started to reunite people and re-establish Chiang Mai since 2325 B.E. by expelling Burma and consolidating people who ran away into jungle during war periods, and people from Sipsongpanna and Shan State. He restored many royal traditions, reconstructed the city’s walls and monuments, and revived the religion, etc. Therefore the Lanna Kingdom had come into existence as a vassal state of Siam (Thailand) since then.

Today recommended Crafts/Handmade Products:

Gold plated blue topaz
pendant necklace,
'Lanna Sun'

- 'Gold plated blue topaz pendant necklace, 'Lanna Sun' ', from NOVICA*, 21k gold plated sterling silver handmade necklace of extraordinary elegance, blue topaz, the stone of truth and forgiveness, centers the original design with 2 gemstone carats.

*NOVICA: who works in association with National Geographic, searches the world to work directly with the finest artisan designers.

Thai Fashion Purse-
Handmade in
Chiang Mai

- 'Thai Fashion Purse- Handmade in Chiang Mai', handmade beautiful and unique handbag from Chiang Mai Thailand, not available at stores or even unique import gift shops, strong, durable craftsmanship, all hand stitching and native materials, single clutch strap accentuated with gold string and beadwork, material is reinforced throughout the bag and the bottom, single wooden button closure at the top.

(To be continued)