Kab Bua Silk
Fabrics and Clothes
Silk made from local materials base on the lotus plants Ban Nonsawang,
Ubon Ratchathani Province.Ubon Ratchatani is known as the Lotus City. The plant is the inspiration for the Kab Bau silk produced in Ban Nonsawang, a village in a province of Ubon. The silk is characterized by its beautiful design and colors taken from the plant.
Ubon Ratchathani, bordering Laos to the east and Cambodia to the south, is a province with a long and interesting history. The area is famous for the beautiful flowers of its lotus plants. Silk has been a product of the villages for many years as a fabric for clothing, gifts, and the safe storage of ancient palm leaf scriptures, and the skills involved in its lure have been practiced and passed down over the ages. Much of the silk has a close association with the legends, shapes, and colors of the lotus plant.
The most famous Kab Bua silk of Ubon Ratchathani is from Ban Nonsawang in Kut Khaopun district. The skills, techniques, and wisdom of weaving have been practiced here for 200 years. The Kab Bua silk produced in Ban Nonsawang is of a high quality has been recognized by the award of `Outstanding Product` of Ubon Ratchathani in 2002 and the OTOP 5-Star Awards in 2004 and 2006.
Villagers have traditionally weaved for domestic purposes
and gifts for special occasion such as weddings. They have grown their own mulberries and relied on their own supply of silkworms, making their production process independent, cost-effective, and self-sufficient.
Mrs. Nuphen Khotkhao
a head of the Silk Weaving Ladies Group, one of the leading designers of Kab Bua silk fabric says:
“I'm proud of each work that I weave. An important secret to my weaving of Kab Bua silk is the care taken in each process. The core concept lies at the heart of the operation. We have to know what we want and how we can weave to make it beautiful. Those who choose any if our fabrics will then own one of our most carefully selected fabrics. The weaving techniques we employ here are no different to other places but the difference lies in the development of the patterns, including the combination of unusual colors which depend on skill and past experiences.
“I'm proud of each work that I weave. An important secret to my weaving of Kab Bua silk is the care taken in each process. The core concept lies at the heart of the operation. We have to know what we want and how we can weave to make it beautiful. Those who choose any if our fabrics will then own one of our most carefully selected fabrics. The weaving techniques we employ here are no different to other places but the difference lies in the development of the patterns, including the combination of unusual colors which depend on skill and past experiences.
Kab Bua silk has distinctive patterns and colors. Each of the different colors, white, pink, pale green, light green, light gold, and dark brown, relates to different parts of lotus plant, such as the flowers, outer and inner petals, stalks, leaves, and pollen. These are interwoven in a double mee kho pattern, making this Kab Bua silk different to that manufactured in other places. Products from other areas may include silver and/or gold threads, brocading into Kho oi (sugarcane nodes), or combining with Mudmee.
Generally, the production of Kab Bua silk is a complicated and difficult process. The production begins with the propagation of white mulberry and the rearing of a carefully selected local species of silkworms. The silkworms are relatively easy to rear - in just over the month the cocoon is produced and ready to reel silk. The silk produced from these is particularly fine and of good quality.
Generally, the production of Kab Bua silk is a complicated and difficult process. The production begins with the propagation of white mulberry and the rearing of a carefully selected local species of silkworms. The silkworms are relatively easy to rear - in just over the month the cocoon is produced and ready to reel silk. The silk produced from these is particularly fine and of good quality.
After reeling the silk, it is dyed by the traditional tie-dye method of Mudmee. This starts by arranging and grouping the washed silk, tying the yarns with plastic cords in the required pattern, and then dyeing them with the preferred colors. After dyeing, the cords are untied and the silk is spun.
The weaving process also requires patience and precision. This commences by the selection of reed with good quality stainless teeth. Then the silk is spun onto a wheel and stretched on rollers to the correct tension. Patterns are woven on a loom.
“An important secret to my weaving of Kab Bua silk is the care taken in each process. The core concept lies at the heart of the operation. We have to know what we want and how we can weave to make it beautiful”
This weaving process involves 2 warps of pale and dark colors alternately. Patterns are made by mixing Mudmee bi-colored weft yarn and continuous supplementary weft into one fabric. lt is a long process with one metre length ofKab Bua silk fabric taking i to 2 days to weave depending on the skills of the weaver.
Kab Bua silk from Ban Nonsawang is for those who are looking for a high quality gift for that important person and/or occasion. Ban Nonsawang is only 78 kilometers from Ubon Ratchathani on highway 2050. Turn left at Trakan Phuet Phon onto 2134 and go to Ban Hai. Then take 2197 and follow the road signs to Ban Nonsawang in Kut Khaopun district.
Producer Silk Weaving Ladies Group
Non Sawang Sub-District, Kut Khaopun District,
Ubon Ratchathani Province
Source of information: OTOP Stories from Thai Local Wisdom Book; by OSMEP
Kab Bua silk from Ban Nonsawang is for those who are looking for a high quality gift for that important person and/or occasion. Ban Nonsawang is only 78 kilometers from Ubon Ratchathani on highway 2050. Turn left at Trakan Phuet Phon onto 2134 and go to Ban Hai. Then take 2197 and follow the road signs to Ban Nonsawang in Kut Khaopun district.
Producer Silk Weaving Ladies Group
Non Sawang Sub-District, Kut Khaopun District,
Ubon Ratchathani Province
Source of information: OTOP Stories from Thai Local Wisdom Book; by OSMEP