Books & Sources

There is little reference material specifically on our sub-region and its weaving traditions, but the continuum of Tai ethnicity, aesthetic inspiration, myth and religion, and of techniques across the region make many textile books relevant to us in Sawang Boran. A selection of titles:

Howard, Michael C., 2010, From Dashes to Dragons, the Ikat patterned Textiles of Southeast Asia, Bangkok: White Lotus.
A key contribution to understanding ikat, its people, places, history, and significance.

Morimoto Kikuo, 2008, Bayon Moon, Reviving Cambodia’ Textile Traditions, SiemReap: IKTT. The single most ambitious textile revival project in our part of the world.

James H W Thompson Foundation, 2004, Tied together, Khmer, Lao and Thai Mudmee Textiles, Bangkok. A treasure-trove of old ikat photos.

William G Coury, 2004, Textiles of Insana, West Timor, Women Weaving and Village Development, Bangkok: White Lotus. Documents issues shared with other weaving projects in the region.

Susan Conway, 1002, Thai Textiles, Bangkok: River Books. All the information you need to become acquainted with textile traditions in the different parts of the country.

Viengkham Nanthavongdouangsy, 2006, Sinh and Lao Woman, Vientiane: Phaeng Mai. Documents the many styles of women’s sarongs in Laos.

Deepika Shah, 2005, Masters of the Cloth, Indian Textiles traded to Distant Shores, New Delhi: TAPI/National Museum. An introduction on Indian textiles traded to the East – and on their influence in southeast Asia in particular.

Jennifer Sharples, 1994, Thai Silk, Bangkok: Post Books. A basic introduction.

Angela Thompson, 2007, Textiles of South-East Asia, Marlborough: Crowood Press. Very thorough study of techniques, fibres, processes, significance and styles, from a regional perspective.

Bonnie Pacala Brereton and Somroay Yencheuy, 2010, Buddhist Murals of Northeast Thailand, Chiang Mai: Mekong Press. A very welcome recognition of the deep cultural value of the few remaining monasteries where Isan-style murals are preserved. These murals offer documentary evidence of Isan life a century ago – including dress and weaving styles.

Through Woven Heritage, the Textiles of Thailand, 2009, Bangkok: The Siam Society,