Tamarind Village Chiang Mai offers guests a daily programme of cultural activities that highlight
the unique craft traditions of northern Thailand.
Chiang Mai is famous for its beautiful hand painted paper umbrellas. Bo-sang Village, located in Sankhampaeng District, is the home of this craft, which the villagers learned from a monk who brought the art form with him from Burma in the last century. Umbrellas come in many colors and are decorated with flower and bird motifs to name just a few. Join us to create your very own Chiang Mai style umbrella for a unique souvenir.
TUESDAY: THE ART OF BANANA & LOTUS LEAF FOLDINGThai people use banana leaf for wrapping food and fold the leaves to make all sorts of colorful decorations for festivals. The lotus flower is also folded in delicate triangular shapes before being presented to the Buddha at the temple. Both the art of banana leaf and lotus leaf folding were handed down from mother to daughter in the past.
WEDNESDAY: FOLDING PANDAN LEAVES INTO FLOWERSThai people use pandan leaves (bai toey) for many different purposes. Small squares of the leaves are often cooked with rice or added to desserts to give them a distinct aroma and attractive green hue. Pandan is also very useful for making handicrafts. The young leaves are sliced into thin strips which can then be woven into baskets, mats and other everyday household items. Join us as we show you the secrets of folding the leaves into charming and attractive flowers. These flowers are used for decorating the home or for offerings in the temples to the Buddha image.
THURSDAY: FLOWER GARLAND WEAVINGThe elegant art of weaving flower garlands has always played an important role in Thai culture. Phuang malai, made from sweet smelling jasmine blossoms combined with a variety of coloured flowers, are given to welcome guests and to decorate religious shrines.
FRIDAY: SPA HERBAL COMPRESS MAKINGLearn how to make a traditional herbal compress from a variety of healing Thai herbs in accordance with ancient recipes, which are then skillfully wrapped in muslin into a tight ball. Traditionally the compress includes a mixture of six dried herbs including lemongrass, plai, turmeric, kaffir lime, camphor and tamarind leafs.
SATURDAY: TUNG ‘FLAG’ MAKINGTung ‘flags’ are made from elaborately cut colored paper and used in festivals throughout northern Thailand. Lanna people believe that Tung symbolize a pathway or staircase to the heavens. During the Songkran Festival, Tung can be seen everywhere around Chiang Mai, especially decorating the sand chedi in each temple compound.
THE VILLAGE WALK (10:00-12:00 hrs. on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday)Join us on an hour long walking tour through the back lanes of our 'village' and let us introduce you to some of the beautiful temples and historic monuments which are located just on our door step. Discover northern Thailand's rich culture and history, which dates back more than 700 years. In addition, you will have the chance to join in a daily merit-marking offering to the Buddhist monks of our local temple. *One-day reservation in advance is required.
