Objects

& Portraits

Paw Chalem Chai, Puppet Master, Assembly of the Poor

Paw Chalem Chai, Puppet Master, Assembly of the Poor

I’ve been performing the story of Ramayana since I was 12. Now I am 72. One year it was so unusually cold that a lot of cows and buffalo died and we got the idea to use the skin of the dead animals to make the characters, like this one. We needed to

I’ve been performing the story of Ramayana since I was 12. Now I am 72. One year it was so unusually cold that a lot of cows and buffalo died and we got the idea to use the skin of the dead animals to make the characters, like this one. We needed to burn charcoal to earn enough money to buy a screen. After that I went to many places all over Isaan to perform… I remember at that time I had to work in the rice farm to grow rice and I got five baht a day. I had to save up money to buy pants which cost 20 baht. I had to quit performing because I had to go to Bangkok to work. Ramayana is the story of our daily life, embedded with the teachings of Buddhism.

Meh Sin, Bahn Pueng

Meh Sin, Bahn Pueng

Before dam, I made mats from reeds I collected from the wetland area as a side job. I could walk over to the wetlands from my house. Sometimes, depending on the weather, I had to use a boat. I used to sell many mats, but since the dam construction I

Before dam, I made mats from reeds I collected from the wetland area as a side job. I could walk over to the wetlands from my house. Sometimes, depending on the weather, I had to use a boat. I used to sell many mats, but since the dam construction I can’t find the reeds anymore because of all the flooding. Now I have another side job to make mattresses and pillowcases. At first, I was okay with the dam. But now my community is unhappy about it because you cannot make a living from the Mun river anymore. You cannot go to collect the reeds to make the mats to weave the mats, you cannot go to collect non timber forest products from the area, you cannot even go fishing if you do not have capital to buy the gear.

Paw Pan, Village Head of Bahn Pueng, Assembly of the Poor and Wetlands Association

Paw Pan, Village Head of Bahn Pueng, Assembly of the Poor and Wetlands Association

Adapting Local Wisdom: This is what we call Gab Bangg in Isaan. In the past, this fishing gear was made from bamboo trees. We’d insert a lot of holes, attach rope, soak it in the river for one week, dry it, and put small tree branches inside to make

Adapting Local Wisdom: This is what we call Gab Bangg in Isaan. In the past, this fishing gear was made from bamboo trees. We’d insert a lot of holes, attach rope, soak it in the river for one week, dry it, and put small tree branches inside to make fish think it’s their home. This is local wisdom. The trees don’t last long in the river anymore, so I adapted it.

Paw Somphong, Assembly of the Poor, Bahn Pueng

Paw Somphong, Assembly of the Poor, Bahn Pueng

Eel Catcher: We put this in the swamp or the pond to catch eels. With the flooding, because of the dam, you can still catch eels but you need a boat to do it. The fishery department has more strictly implemented a lot of rules after the dam was built

Eel Catcher: We put this in the swamp or the pond to catch eels. With the flooding, because of the dam, you can still catch eels but you need a boat to do it. The fishery department has more strictly implemented a lot of rules after the dam was built. During June-August you cannot fish anywhere; it’s the time when fish lay eggs and it is hard to make a living.

Mae Saeng Son (Wanpen), Assistant Village Head, Rasi Salai Dam Development Group

Mae Saeng Son (Wanpen), Assistant Village Head, Rasi Salai Dam Development Group

I’ve never lost a buffalo because I have this bell. Before the wetlands flooded, I had more than 10 buffalos to plow the land and carry goods. you knew where your buffalo were because of this sound. Wherever they went, you would hear them. I joine

I’ve never lost a buffalo because I have this bell. Before the wetlands flooded, I had more than 10 buffalos to plow the land and carry goods. you knew where your buffalo were because of this sound. Wherever they went, you would hear them. I joined the protests because I lost my land. Many people who lost their land would also ask me to help them advocate for their rights. I want to be a leader who focuses on women’s rights, to promote and help create more income for women.

Mae Lampai Duaphan, Assembly of the Poor

Mae Lampai Duaphan, Assembly of the Poor

I chose the pictures of the wetland before dam construction because it’s a good memory for me. I could make a living from this area. Now because of the flooding, I have to grow rice twice a year in my village because I cannot grow in the wetlands. In

I chose the pictures of the wetland before dam construction because it’s a good memory for me. I could make a living from this area. Now because of the flooding, I have to grow rice twice a year in my village because I cannot grow in the wetlands. In the old days, I went to Bangkok for three months to protest. The leaders of each village could take care of a big group of people. They fought for the community. I feel proud of that. It took a lot of time for us to get the compensation that we wanted.

Sawas Lekleeset, Previous Village Head Assistant, Rasi Salai Dam Development Group

Sawas Lekleeset, Previous Village Head Assistant, Rasi Salai Dam Development Group

I gave this sticky rice container “Gradong” to you because it shows my skills of making it and it could help me create income. It’s what I can make. Back when I was strong and healthy, I made several of these out of bamboo from my farm. I learned by

I gave this sticky rice container “Gradong” to you because it shows my skills of making it and it could help me create income. It’s what I can make. Back when I was strong and healthy, I made several of these out of bamboo from my farm. I learned by myself, sold them to villagers, to some sellers in town to re sell. My children work on my farm now. My kids can make the sticky rice container. I taught them. My wife also knows how to do it.

Sawas Aatsale, Rasi Salai Dam Development Group

Sawas Aatsale, Rasi Salai Dam Development Group

I make silk scarves like this when I have free time [folds scarf on knee]. If I can’t sell them, I gift them to my children and grandchildren. This work is part of the government-funded career promotion program where they teach you to make something

I make silk scarves like this when I have free time [folds scarf on knee]. If I can’t sell them, I gift them to my children and grandchildren. This work is part of the government-funded career promotion program where they teach you to make something for an income.I couldn’t farm anymore in the wetlands after the dam construction, I lost 10 rais of land.

Tell me about an object that holds meaning to you. This artifact can be from your daily life, home, or memory.