The Wisdom of Sedge Mat Weaving: A Multicultural Heritage of Border Communities A Case Study of Ban Tun Community, Ban Dan Sub-district Aranyaprathet District, Sa Kaeo Province

Abstract

This qualitative research aims to investigate the local wisdom of sedge mat weaving in the Ban Tun community, Sa Kaeo Province, focusing on its historical background, transmission mechanisms, and pathways toward sustainable development. Data were collected through field research, employing participant observation and in-depth interviews with ten key informants, including local sages and relevant social groups. The gathered data were analyzed using descriptive content analysis.

The findings reveal that the Ban Tun community functions as a Thai-Cambodian border multicultural society characterized by a profound integration of identities. Sedge mat weaving serves as a vital cultural heritage, bridging traditional craftsmanship inherited from Cambodian ancestors with contemporary Thai aesthetic and commercial preferences. The transmission mechanism is characterized by "flexible and immersive learning" within kinship networks, which is fundamental to the survival and adaptation of this wisdom amidst the dynamics of the Border Special Economic Zone. Furthermore, the transition from household handicraft to a community enterprise-through the creation of contemporary applied motifs such as the pine tree, rose, and re-developed "Luk Kaew" patterns-not only enhances economic value but also signifies a re-actualization of cultural heritage that fosters pride in communal identity.