Voices of Weavers - Textile Cultures, Craftsmanship, and Identity in Contemporary Myanmar

Cover

Imprint

Acknowledgments

Contents

A Note on the Text

Introductory Remarks

1 Material Matters – Locating the Textile Cultures of Myanmar

Textile Culture and the International Material Culture Discourse

The Study of the Textile Cultures of Myanmar

Research Design, Methods & Analysis

2 Myanmar Transitions: Of Kingdoms, Colonial Rulers, Dictatorships and Democracy

The Foundations of Myanmar – A Retrospective Account

British Colonial Endeavors & Burma

Independence & A New Regime

History of the Peripheries – Kengtung as an Example for Ethnic Minority Regions

Current Political, Economic and Social Processes in Myanmar

3 The Lives and Crafts of Lun’t-aya Acheik Weavers in Amarapura and Sagaing

The History of Lun’t-aya Acheik Weaving

Lun’t-aya Acheik Weaving Mills of Sagaing and Amarapura

Weaving as a Business – Economic and Social Implications of Life as a Weaver

Mastering the Threads – A Technical Description

Summary of the Contemporary Lun’t-aya Acheik Weaving Culture

4 The Lives and Crafts of Handloom Weavers and Textile Artisans in and around Kengtung, Eastern Shan State

An Overview of Kengtung and the Ethnic Groups of the Area

The Ann Weaving Practices as Negotiations of Traditions and Innovations

The Female Entrepreneurs of the Palaung Community

The Akha Textile Manufactures between Traditionalism and Commercial Trade

Textile Material Cultures of the Akhö, Loi, Lahu Na, and Lahu Shi

The Contemporary Textile Cultures of the Ethnic Groups of the Kengtung Area in Summary

5 Conclusion: The Lives and Crafts of Weavers and Textile Manufacturers in Contemporary Myanmar

Publication Bibliography

List of Figures

Appendices

Appendix A: Timetable of Recent Historic Events

Appendix B: Diagram of Silk-related Professions in 1891

Appendix C: Overview of Referenced Languages

Appendix D: Alternate Spellings of Locations in Myanmar