Crafting My Own Lanna Lantern

October 03, 2019

I love art, especially sculpture.  While I wouldn’t make a living from it, I find it relaxing and rewarding to work with my hands and produce something that pleases the eye.

The Traditions of the Lanna People

So I was very keen to try and learn about the making of a traditional Lanna Lantern while I was visiting northern Thailand.  These lanterns are delicate and very beautiful.  They can be seen all around Thailand.  The tradition started in the north with the Lanna peoples, several centuries ago.

Originally they were made by the local families and bought to their Pagoda as a way of honoring Buddha.  Now they are also used as gifts for anything from housewarming to weddings.  They are also very popular as gracious adornments to homes, gardens, and shops.

Learning an Ancient Craft

So I was excited when my guide picked me up and we drove the short distance to the workshop of a local family where I could learn more about this traditional craft.  When we arrived, I was introduced to the old lady who was going to pass on the skills to me, just as they had been passed on for generations within her family.

We sat crossed-legged opposite each other on the wooden floor.  We were surrounded by thin bamboo canes and swatches of colorful silk and paper.

To begin we had to shape the frame using some of the many bamboo reeds.  She started displaying how it was done, and sometimes guiding my hands with hers, I slowly put together the frame.   We bound the joins tightly with string-like bamboo cord.  Finally, I had the skeleton of my lantern and I was ready to dress it!

She had to shape the frame using some of the many bamboo reeds.

How to Dress a Lantern

As I wanted mine to still be in good shape after I traveled home with it, I chose material over paper for strength and durability.   Sifting through the many-colored silks, I picked one that was bright and cheerful, just as I was feeling.

Cutting proved to be a bit more of a challenge than I had imagined.  We traced the outline that we needed using a tiny piece of white chalk.  Then she gave me a small knife as sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel.

Slowly I began to slice around the outline.  Using just enough pressure to cut through, but not deeply scar the floor beneath me.  As I held up each new piece I had cut, she gave me a huge smile and a small clap of encouragement.

Turning a Yam into Glue

We all my panels were cut, we started he make the natural paste to apply them to the bamboo frame.  We warmed water over an open flame, then added a soft white powder to it.  This she showed me she got from drying and grinding a local vegetable which looked like a yam  Then added some thick syrup and stirring, slowly bought it to boil.

When the powder had dissolved and the liquid-cooled, we started to use it to attach the material to the frame.  I grinned as the lantern came to life and developed its own delicate character.  Finally, I was able to add some smaller decorations onto it.  Just some silk fringing along the bottom edges.

Efforts Rewarded

As I stood back my teacher held it before my eyes for inspection.  We both looked at each other and beamed with delight.  I had made my own elegant Lanna Lantern!  In truth, it took longer than I had thought, but my teacher was so happy and patient with me, it was really a labor of love.  I thanked her profusely.  She had helped a small little wish be realized.  Placing it in a small bag I had bought, we said our fond goodbyes.

Disbelieving Friends

Back at the hotel, the first thing I did was to take the little lantern out of its bag.  I placed it on the sideboard and sat back to admire it.  I couldn’t stop grinning and wondering what friends back home would say when they saw it hanging in my apartment.  How surprised they will be when I told them I had made it.  With the help of an old Thai woman, sitting on an ancient wood floor along the streets of northern Thailand.  My smile got even bigger.