Conservation and Continuation of Local Art in Mae Tha River Basin: a Case Study on Stucco Buddha Images By Namtha Craftsman Group, Lumphun Province

Abstract

This Qualitative research paper aims to study 1.) the history of Tai Yong people, including social,
cultural, and economic contexts of the community in Mae Tha River Basin, Lamphun Province; 2)
to study the patterns of stucco Buddha images and crafts, including creation process, and
problems of craftsman groups in the area of Mae Tha River basin, Lamphun Province; and 3) to
propose action plan and management methods of conservation of the cultural heritage of stucco
Buddha images created by the locals of Mae Tha River Basin groups, Lamphun Province to
achieve sustainable goals. It was found that the principal Buddha images of 45 temples have
unique features, which are white face and body, with oval face, continued arched eyebrows,
prominent nose, red lips, long ears to shoulders, small hair knots, topped with lotus-leaf
structure. The Buddha images are in subduing mara pose, with the right arm put on the right
knee. After 2400 B.E., this style of Buddha image was very popular in Lamphun Province, Chiang
Mai Province, Lampang Province, and Nan Province, led by craftsman groups in the area of Mae
Tha River basin, Lamphun Province, locally called Sala Lamphun. Management method for this
kind of crafts is to promote form and process of Buddist art and craft creation through learning
media, such as online books and other tools. This can stimulate and reinvigorate Buddist arts with
sustainability.