The Development of the Cultural Capital of the Indigo Weaving Group to Upgrade to a Creative Economy

Abstract

The objectives of this research were: 1. To analyze the cultural capital of the indigo-dye community to develop community products based on creative economy thinking. 2. To develop the cultural capital of the local creative economy through the design and development of community products. Participatory action research was conducted. The population and sample included community entrepreneurs, the indigo-dye weaving group committee, community leaders, and officials involved in promoting occupational group management. The research tool was an in-depth interview guide, with group discussion guidelines, and observation guidelines. The data was analyzed using descriptive research methods.

The research findings revealed the following: 1. Cultural Capital: The communities of Ban Nabua, Nong Waeng Tai Subdistrict, Wanon Niwat District, Sakon Nakhon Province, and Ban Ba Wa, Ba Wa Subdistrict, Akat Amnuai District, Sakon Nakhon Province, possess a rich cultural capital comprising biological, cultural, and social assets. These assets can be leveraged to design and develop community-based products. 2. Creative Economy Development: The communities have successfully developed their cultural capital into a creative economy by designing Mudmee cloth patterns. This process involved utilizing intellectual capital such as existing knowledge bases, local wisdom in indigo dyeing (cultural capital), and new knowledge to enhance human experiences (human capital), and use adaptive Skills (social capital) in creating Mudmee cloth patterns that are community identity products.