Local Wisdom: Preserving Shan Art Zinc Stencils, Mae Hong Son Province

Abstract

This academic article aims to study the local wisdom of preserving the zinc stencils of the Tai Yai art in Mae Hong Son Province.
The results of the study found that the identity of the Tai Yai people is something that is linked to the culture. The traditions, rituals, and beliefs of the Tai Yai people have been continuously integrated from historical developments. It is a way of life with faith in Buddhism, combined with the belief in spirits and strictly adhering to customs and traditions, making people in the Tai Yai community proud and aware of the preservation of their own culture, traditions, and way of life. The Tai Yai people also started to have their own tradition called Ok-Phansa according to Buddhist beliefs. The origin of Ok-Wah tradition was in Mae Sariang District. There is no clear evidence of when it was carried out. It has only been passed down for a long time according to word of mouth. The conservation of the Tai Yai zinc stencils will be carried out by the current method of passing on the art of Tai pattern writing, which is to train together with the head of the craftsman’s family or to apply to work as an assistant to an expert craftsman, training while learning that art. Some local people’s wisdom can develop their work more advanced than the craftsmen who trained them, depending on their training experience and the talent of each person.