A Study of Styles and Motifs of Karen Pwo’s Native Woven Fabric

Abstract

The objective of this research is to study the styles, the characteristics of motifs and colors of Karen Pwo’s native woven fabric. The samples consisted of 20 Karen Pwo peoples who live in Omkoi district, Chiang Mai Province. Data was collected through interviews, audio and video recordings for qualitative analysis. The research found that 1) the style of Karen Pwo’s native woven fabric for girls’ garment is longer than the normal dress, and is similar to the sack dress or the Che-Wa dress of teenage Karen Pwo girls. Boy’s shirt has a similar style to adult men’s shirt -- sack shaped shirt, simple style pants similar to the Sa-Dor pants. Married women’s dresses are divided into two styles— with motifs on the hem area, and with motifs on the shoulder area. The Pha-Sin sarong is made up of 2 pieces of narrow woven cloth sewn together, 180-200 centimeters in length. Women wear head scarves and carry shoulder sack bags according to work function, e.g. carrying a sack bag for agricultural work. All clothes and garments are sewn by hand. 2) The motifs of Karen Pwo women fabric are made through three weaving techniques: Chok, Khit, and Ikat. The motifs are inspired by everyday life, such as the forms of waterfall, leaves, fruits, flowers, animals and insects which are then adapted into motifs on the fabric, demonstrating creativity, imagination and beliefs. 3) There are 7 colors used for creating motives, namely red, orange or ripe betel nut color, green, blue, yellow, black and white.