TAEC was well represented at the 5th International Conference on Lao Studies held at Thammasat University in Bangkok. Every three years, academics come together to provide an international forum to present and discuss various aspects of ethnolinguistic groups of Laos including traditional medicine, music, and the economy. TAEC staff, Ton Souvannalith and resident researcher Dr. Marie-Pierre Lissoir, presented papers at the conference.
Ton spoke about "The Commercialisation of Handicrafts and Status of Women in Luang Prabang". As lifestyles and livelihoods of the people of Laos have changed, traditional handicrafts have become a more commercially driven pursuit. Further, girls and women, now attending school and working outside the home in greater numbers, have less time for textile production. Luang Prabang has a large tourism sector, and the night market in particular has become an important arena where local people can sell crafts directly to tourists. Women make up a large proportion of the sellers at the night market and producers of the handicrafts themselves. TAEC's community researchers conducted a mapping exercise in the Luang Prabang night market and surrounding handicraft villages to learn more about the flows of money to women and ethnic minorities through commercial handicrafts, and how that might impact their economic and social status. To view the results, visit the Map Your World website.
Marie-Pierre presented her paper entitled "Singing in the microphone: Tai Dam traditional music and modernity in Laos". The singing of the Tai Dam, the khap Tai Dam, is a collective practice performed during every event of community life, playing an important role in the construction of the Tai Dam identity. The khap is a vocal genre (sung or spoken) and traditionally performed during a party or a feast. However, with the introduction of electricity and video CDs, so followed the microphone and speakers to be used in performances. Marie-Pierre looked at the influence of this new setting and the role of traditional singing in the Tai Dam community of North Laos. If you would like to receive more information about this research, please contact Dr. Marie-Pierre Lissoir.
|
