How to Wear a Sarong in the Northeast
The dress of men in the Isaan region is unique and interesting, differing from other regions, especially when it comes to wearing a "sarong." This specific cultural garment is influenced by India's lungi, which features a similar checkered pattern, but in Isaan culture, sarongs are often woven with silk fibers, giving them a distinctive material quality. This is an interesting contrast to the Indian lungi.
Identity and Uses of Silk Sarongs
In Isan culture, silk sarongs are typically worn during merit-making ceremonies and other special occasions. They are more common among people of higher status or families than among larger groups. Sarongs play an essential role in passing cultural heritage across ethnic groups in northeastern Thailand. Each group has its unique and colorful designs, representing local identity. For example, the Phu Thai people in Ban Phon, Kham Muang District, Kalasin Province prefer dark-colored sarongs similar to the ones used for women's Mudmee sarongs, while the Kui (Suai) people in Sisaket and Surin provinces favor bright reddish-orange sarongs mixed with green, known as betel color. Each ethnic group has distinct patterns, showcasing the diversity and unique identity of the region.
How to Wear a Sarong in Everyday Life
Wearing a sarong in Isan culture can be divided into two styles: formal and everyday wear. For formal occasions, men often wear the sarong "with pleats in the front," using a silver or other metal belt to secure it neatly. For everyday activities, the sarong is "tied on both sides and knotted in the middle," which makes it more convenient to wear when working or going to the bathroom. This method reflects modernity and comfort in daily life, without the need to worry about a belt being too tight.
Sarong and Sarong: How Are They Different?
In Isan culture, there is a distinction between "sarong" and "sarong" in terms of clothing. Men generally wear sarongs, while women wear sarongs. This distinction is still observed today, although some areas, such as in Ubon Ratchathani Province, have a tradition where men and women swap garments—women wear sarongs, and men wear sarongs—to astonish heavenly angels and bring rain. This practice underscores the cultural significance of these garments in Isan society.
Summary
The culture of wearing sarongs in the Isan region is unique and beautifully diverse. Each ethnic group uses different patterns and colors to represent the region's cultural richness. Wearing a sarong in everyday life symbolizes modernity and convenience for Isan people. There are also traditions where swapping sarongs and sarongs between genders is believed to bring good luck and prosperity. Preserving these cultural traditions gives deeper meaning to the sarong in Isan society, reflecting its importance to the people.
Thank You to the Source
Intellectual Heritage Book: Isaan Textiles
Photo credit: Isaan Arts and Culture Conservation Group, Ajahn Adisak Sasiri
```