Part of the
northeastern people's rich cultural heritage is the production
of a unique silk fabric locally known as Ikat but internationally
referred to as Mutmee. Mutmee silk is so called because
of the particular tie-dye process by which the silk threads are
tied according to the desired pattern before they are dyed. Actually,
Mutmee can be made of both silk and cotton. But
Mutmee silk is much more popular.
To make Mutmee,
only filaments uniform in size and texture are used. In the past
natural dyes derived from roots, vegetable or earth were used.
However, today chemical dyes are given preference for they save
a great deal of time and permit more color varieties. Traditionally,
the prevailing Mutmee color is an inky blue which used to be extracted
from the indigo plant.
Typical Mutmee
designs are nature motives: animals such as birds or serpents,
especially pythons, or trees or flowers.
Until not
long ago, Mutmee was produced for domestic use, mostly in religious
ceremonies or on auspicious days such as wedding days. Only at
the beginning of the 80's, Mutmee was promoted beyond the villages
of the Northeast chiefly by Queen Sirikit. The manufacture
of Mutmee silk has since then become part of the economic development
of this poorest region of the country. Trade organizations under
the patronage of the Queen help in the distribution.
Today Mutmee
is popular among Thai men as well as women. To encourage people
to use this unique local product, the Royal Family regularly
wears clothes made from Mutmee silk. Recently, King Bhumiphol
suggested that a national Mutmee attire should be worn
in place of western style suits which are uncomfortable in the
tropical climate. Mutmee shirts are now accepted as formal wear
and are commonly seen at social gatherings.
