“Sala” in Lanna language means craftsman.
Chiang Mai has had local Sala or craftsman for more than 700 years
since the city was built by King Mengrai. He brought several branches of
craftsmanship from Chiang Saen to establish in Lanna Kingdom. In 2310 B.E.
(1767 A.D.), King Kawila restored Chiang Mai city with policy “Bring crops to basket, bring
citizen to town”. By
his order, craftsmen were grouped to settle households around southern city
gate area. Painting craftsmen resided at Wat Puak Taem and lacquering at Wat
Nantharam. Sculptor of “Hong” or swan set up their community at Wat Hong while silver
craftsmen moved to Wat Muen San and Wat Sri Suphan on Wua
Lai Road from now on.
With the vision of Phakru
Pitaksutthikhun, the ninth and the present Abbot of Wat Sri Suphan, he determines
to conserve and carry on the heritage and wisdom of Lanna “Sala” craftsmanship
to new generation by integration with dissemination of Buddhism. He asks for
cooperation from craft masters to pass down their knowledge and wisdom to
novices in the network of the General Buddhist Scripture School who have joined
the Project for Vocational Training of Craftsmanship since 2550 B.E. (2007
A.D.) at Ancient Lanna Arts Study Center Wat Sri Suphan
(Royal Academy, Chiang Mai Branch). In academic year 2558 B.E. (2015 A.D.),
2,939 novices participate in this program which means that new generation of
Lanna craftsman heir has already been created. They can become craftsmen of
Lanna wisdom with pride and this ensures that its heritage is handed over in
the sustainable way despite of the changing world.
The SUPPORT Arts and Crafts International Centre of
Thailand (Public Organization) takes part to promote, support and praise
craftsman of local wisdom in each locality to be a “teacher”. The organization
plays an important role for inheritance of local wisdom handicrafts as national
treasure and identity in communities through Thailand. They see the importance
of Lanna handicraft wisdom as one of the national heritage with long history.
At the first stage, they run the Project for Business Development in Handicraft
Villages. Then, they help to fulfil the body of Lanna craft knowledge at Wat Sri Suphan community in the form of silverware and lacquerware
product development so that they can develop themselves in line with market requirement.
In 2555 B.E. (2012 A.D.), the Lanna Craft Wisdom Museum was built and located
on the ground floor of “Hor Trai” (Hall of Buddhist Scriptures) inside Wat Sri
Suphan. Later on, in 2558 B.E. (2015 A.D.), the Project for Development of
Handicraft Community has been initiated. Under this project, the exhibition and
interior decoration has been improved with modern conception. The Lanna Craft
Wisdom Museum becomes the focal point to collect information and exhibit Lanna
handicrafts under the concept of inheritance to young generation by being a
learning place for locals, tourists, public and Lanna “Sala” craftsmen.
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