 Hong Hian Sueb Sarn Lanna the Lanna Wisdom Institute
 Break down the wall between Poh Khru and Mae Khru, masters of Lan Na art and culture, and learners; bring them together,” said one of the cofounders of Hong Hian Sueb Sarn Lanna, the Lanna Wisdom Institute, Mala Kamjan. He is renowned in the world of literature and was the winner of the 1991 S.E.A. Write Award.
Inheritors of Lan Na
The Lan Na region was formed a long time ago by several ethnic groups including Tai Yuan, Yong, Tai Lue, Pakayor, and hilltribes such as Akha and Lahu to name a few. The area was associated with its use of their rich natural resources in all aspects of their lives. The community developed its own culture and folk wisdom with its own cuisine, medicine, silk and cotton weaving, architecture, art, performance and entertainment.
However, the infl uence of other cultures gradually aff ected Lan Na’s own culture. These changed the Lan Na way of life and knowledge of it gradually disappeared. People weren’t so interested in learning about Lan Na culture, and unfortunately young people didn’t care about inheriting this folk culture.
For this reason, the Sueb Sarn Lanna Fair was born in 1997. The annual fair is a miniature display of Northern diversity, featuring the traditional culture of many ethnic groups. In 2000, the Lanna Wisdom Institute, an alternative learning forum which aims to pass on valuable folk wisdom and an eco-friendly
lifestyle to the next generations, had begun. It was founded on the words of Luang Por Pra Tham Di Lok, the venerable monk of Chedi Luang temple: “To hand down the reality of the folk wisdom will be to carry it on with every breath you take”.
The Wisdom School,
The school opened in 2000, with 85 learners (aged between 6 and 66). At present, 14 generations have graduated from the school. The Wisdom Classroom,
The Institute has a temporary open-air pavilion where students and teachers can meet. It is located on a plot of land behind Prince Royal School.
Class Time Schedule: Saturday and Sunday, the time is fl exible (2 month course, THB400 per course only)
Wisdom Courses,
1. Lan Na language: also called Northern Thai or Kam Muang
2. Saw – A style of folk singing of Lan Na
3. Making Khom (lanterns) and Toong (hanging decorations)
4. Weaving
5. Wickerwork
6. Mould making
7.Carving
8. Lan Na drawings
9. Folk music
10. Lan Na dance
11. Lan Na sword dance
12. Klong Sabad Chai - Victory Drum Dance
13. Lan Na games: Mak Soom, Mak Beng, Ton Dok, Ton Phung
14. Mor Muang - Lan Na traditional medicine and theory
15. Pi Kho - A bamboo recorder
16. Local toy making
17. Local Agriculture
18. Forest Conservation
19. Lacquer ware
The 10th year of Lanna Wisdom Institute exhibition “Kad Muan – Kad Muang” The Lanna Wisdom Institute will host a Lan Na arts and culture exhibition throughout 2007. The exhibition will focus on and refl ect the worth of Lan Na culture and folk wisdom. It aims to pass on this treasure to new generations by having it presented as a Lan Na folk wisdom market and will include displays of traditional art and performances.
Show Time: The school is looking for a way to fi nance the cost of curriculum development. Please give a donation if you can. Note: “Hong Hian” means school
For more information, please contact us at Lanna Wisdom Institute 35 Rattanakosin Rd., T. Wat Gate, A. Muang, Chiang Mai 50000 Tel. 66 5330 6387, 66 8 1530 8512 www.lannawisdoms.com Special Thanks: Khun Mala Kamjan Khun Boonrin Thongdeelert Khun Prasong Sangngam
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Things to Do & See
As a part of the service sector of Chiang Mai University, the Northern Thai Information Center recognizes the need for it to be essential to have an ongoing center for searching and collecting information about Lan Na and the northern region. The Northern Thai Information Center was formed with the aim to be a center of general information resources. The range of information here covers all fi elds of Northern Thailand with comprehensive writings from well-known northern writers.
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