Basic HTML Version
Intellectual Cultural Heritage
65
Kong Khao Dok
Basketry
A
kong khao
is a woven bamboo container for
steamed glutinous rice. It is found in the Phai Mueang
Mai Village of the Mueang Mai Sub-district, Chae Hom
District, Lampang.
Two types of
kong khao
are made in Mueang Mai:
the white or plain one and the patterned one. The
former is made of strips of bamboo skin in its natural
colour while the latter is made of bamboo skin strips
dyed in black with the Siamese ebony wood woven with
strips of undyed bamboo strips to create decorative
motifs. The woven bamboo containers come with carved
teak stands and slinging cords made of rattan. These
kong khao
can be woven into many different shapes
such as
kong khao kho kio
(narrow-necked) and
kong
khao kho loeng
(broad-necked). They are also decorated
with different floral, or
dok
, motifs such as
dok luang
,
dok chan paet klip
,
dok kambang
,
dok kambi
, and
dok
kap chum
motifs.
What is unique in woven bamboo boxes of the
Mueang Mai Vi l lage is the double-layer weaving
technique, which provides good ventilation while it keeps
food moisture well. The steamed glutinous rice kept
inside these bamboo boxes will neither be too soggy nor
too dry and it can keep for a long time.
The
kong khao
items with intricate floral designs
require special weaving skills and therefore they are
reserved for use during special occasions such as when
entertaining important guests or offering food to monks.