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Visit the Handicraft Villages
Surin is second to none in the
northeastern region regarding local handicrafts. Handicraft making
is supplementary occupation, to be carried out during January-May
after the harvesting season.
1) Hang Nu rattan weaving at Ban Buthom
Small rattan, called hang nu, is major weaving material. The small
vine is divided into 4 tines, which are further trimmed until round,
then thrust into holes to attain required size. The prepared rattan
vines are then woven into a variety of utensils, such as baskets,
fruit tray with more than 60 styles. Rattan products here are not
lacquered. If any piece becomes mouldy, rub it with sour fruit such
as carambola, lemon or kaffir lime, then clean it with water and
leave it dry in sunlight. This process will return natural luster to
the product. If used regularly, however, rattan product will always
remain shiny.
2) Prakueam silver ornaments at Ban Chok
Prakueam is a Cambodian word for round silver or gold beads strung
together into ornaments. Surin’s beads are noted for their variety
of shapes and patterns.
The bead’s diameter can be as short as half centimeter can be as
short as half centimeter or as long as 2.5-3 cm. Surin’s beads have
a variety of shapes, such as silver bag, triangular pillow,
octagonal, cone, carambola and double-headed drum. Most patterns
imitate natural patterns, such as lotus petal, Phikun flower, sun,
sunflower, etc.
Most beads are treated to give a darkish finish, which makes the
pattern standing out. Beads are distinguished for their pattern and
their silvery luster.
Ban Chok, Tambon Khwao Sinarin, Amphoe Khwao Sinarin, was the first
village to make beads, both with silver and gold, hundreds of years
ago. It is believed that they inherited this art from their
Cambodian ancestors. Ban Chok is only 2 kilometers far from Khwao
Sinarin silk village. The silk village thus sells both silk products
and various styles of silver ornaments, such as bead bracelets and
necklaces. One single ornament can contain one or more styles of
beads, or even blend beads with pearl, black sapphire, colored stone
and others. To see how silver ornament is made, visit Ban Chok when
there is no festival or harvesting.
3) Silk at Ban Sawai, Ban Chan Rom and Ban Khwao Sinarin
Silk Procuced in these villages has unique, Cambodian-influenced,
patterns. The silk threads used here are highly delicate, soft,
lustrous and of highest quality.
The silk threads are dyed with colors from natural ingredients. For
instance, red color comes from lac, and yellow color from turmeric.
These threads are woven tightly and elaborately to yielddiverse
patterns. Major weaving villages are Ban Khwao Sinarin, King Amphoe
Khwao Sinarin; Ban Chan Rom, Tambon Ta Ong, Amphoe Muang; and Ban
Sawai, Tambon Sawai, Amphoe Muang.
Surin’s most acclaimed silk is pha hole, which differs from other
matmi,or tied-and dyed silk, with regards to the selection of silk
threads, the tie-and-dye technique and the weaving style. Pha hole,
normally of gray, red, white, green and yellow colors, is woven so
tightly that it can hold water on its surface. Surin people always
give Pha hole to their favorite heir, as it is very difficult and
time-con-suming to make. Villagers always use pha hole only during
special occasions such as wedding, and merit making ceremony.
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