About Our Community
Discover the rich history and vibrant culture of Thung Luang Village, home to over 300 years of Karen heritage in the heart of Chiang Mai's mountains.
Community History
Thung Luang Village is located approximately 21 kilometers west of Mae Win Subdistrict Administrative Organization. It is nestled between the tributaries of the river. Villagers are clustered together, surrounded by orchards, and farms are cultivated in the river basin.
Thung Luang Village's primary practice is rice farming, followed by rotational cultivation. Forestry officials later tightened regulations, leading to the discontinuation of rotational cultivation, leaving only rice farming and the new agricultural practices promoted by the Royal Project.
Ban Thung Luang is located at Village No. 2, Mae Win Subdistrict, Mae Wang District, Chiang Mai Province. The general condition is surrounded by complex mountains such as Doi Ka Cho, Doi Loe Po Ho, Doi Mon Ya, Doi Lo Lu, Doi Pho Do U Cho, Doi That, etc. The village is situated on the mountain ridge and foothills, approximately 500-900 meters above sea level.
Our Heritage
Ethnic Community
This community has a history of over 300 years of Karen inhabitance. Their culture and rituals reflect a close relationship between humans and nature.
Natural Surroundings
There are 10 streams surrounding the village, such as Huai Mae Tien, Huai Pong Dueat, Huai Sai, and Huai Loe Po Ho, flowing through the village with water flowing all year round.
Traditional Occupations
Most villagers in Thung Luang are primarily farmers. The community practices sustainable agriculture with a focus on rice farming and orchards.
Raising livestock, such as cattle and buffalo, is a secondary occupation. Some families also keep pigs, chickens, and rarely, elephants, numbering only one or two.
Land ownership can be divided into two main groups: extended families with 20-30 rai of land, and nuclear families with 5-19 rai (including rice and orchards).
Traditional Handicrafts
Art, particularly weaving, is a prominent skill in the community. Many women in the village are skilled weavers, especially the elderly, who regularly weave under their houses in their free time.
Karen Weaving
Karen weaving remains a supplementary activity, in addition to farming. Those who still spend time weaving save their products for important festivals in the district or at tourist attractions.
Karen woven fabrics employ a tie-dyeing technique, known as "mat mi." This technique has been passed down from the mothers of current weavers, preserving generations of traditional knowledge.
Traditional Attire
Men of Thung Luang village generally dress like lowland or city dwellers. However, on important festivals, they wear traditional tribal attire, including a red handwoven shirt and black khaki pants.
Karen men distinguish between married and unmarried men by wearing a sarong. A patterned sarong called "taetua kee" is for married men, while a red sarong called "taet a dok ngo" is for unmarried men.
Women's sarongs are adorned with patterns and beads, stitched into the woven fabric, showcasing intricate craftsmanship passed down through generations.
Preserving Our Heritage
Traditional knowledge transmission and organizational arrangements can be divided into two levels: the family and kinship level and the community level.
Knowledge transmission at the family and kinship level involves daily life and family rituals. Community knowledge transmission involves various rituals and community-level production activities.
In Thung Luang Village, the Royal Project initiated a new agricultural plan in 1987, which resulted in the evolution of traditional farming practices, balancing heritage with sustainable modern agriculture.
Experience Our Culture
Join us for an authentic journey through Karen heritage, where every tour supports our community and helps preserve our traditions for future generations.