Ban Bat: A Living Breath of Tradition

The “Ban Bat: A Living Breath of Tradition” Exhibition is a little piece introducing the essence to “Banbat” , one of the few artisan communities in the heart of Bangkok, Phra Nakhon (metropolis) who conserve “Bat” handicraft for a long time. Also, there are stories of Ban Bat through our way of life with people as the Ban Bat history expresses our identity, through thick and thin, and always through down the gauntlet in the river of generation.

This exhibition is a glimpse of life and identity of the Ban Bat in 4 stories: Space - People - The Last Bat Artisan Community in The Heart of Bangkok, From Crematorium to Village Hall, From pleading “Por Pu” to Vassa preaching and Pleasing in Ban Bat. They illuminated the emotions and relationships that shaped the Ban Bat, from its inception to its present existence.

1. Space - People - The Last Bat Artisan Community in The Heart of Bangkok

Ban Bat is located on the east side of canals around the city (Ong Ang - Banglampu canal or Han's bridge). All 4 corners of Ban Bat are connected with major landmarks such as: the northern side close to The Wat Saket, the southern connect with the Khmer Village (Ban Dokmai community), Ong Ang canal on the western and Waterworks Authority, Maen Sri on the eastern. There are overall developments and changes in the area as follows:

The era of urban evolution: Back to the early Rattanakosin era, Ban Bat was renowned as a skilled artisan community for Bat [ (n.) Alms Bowl] a long time ago. As we said Ban Bat descended Bat artisan migrants from Ayutthaya (As the name "Khlong Ban Bat (Ban Bat canal)" appears in Ayutthaya evidence), there are skilled artisans, nobles, officials, artists, and laborers to settle down and spread  in Phra Nakhon. In Rama 5 era, there was the Bat maker in Ban Bat became under The Department of Bat artisan for royal proletarians and in 1911, had the designation of Bat major artificer name “Khun Lokakarn"

Ban Bat’s location resembled that of other artisan communities in and around Phra Nakhon. Due to these area as the good artisan communities around here such as; Ban Sai Rad Pra Kod (for priest waistband),  Ban Phan Thom (for niello ware and ceremonial trays), Ban Dok Mai (for various types of fireworks), Ban Mo (for ceramics), Ban Dinso (for white clay filler), the gold leaf artisans of Thanon Ti Thong, and the communities in Nang Loeng and Ong Ang canal (for jars, water pots, and earthenware). These showcase the rich tradition of craftsmanship that highlights Ban Bat as a vital artisan community since Bangkok was newly established

Around the place, there was a community of Khmer people who were rounded up since the early Bangkok era. These Khmer people expertised making fireworks, theatrical performance,  music and black magic. They’re known by various names such as “Ban Dok Mai” (fireworks maker community), and collectively “Ban Khmer” (Khmer Village); nowadays, it’s the one part of the Worachak Market community, extending to the area of ​​Wat Phra Phiren.

The revolution era: From 1957, the journey of Bat making still continued through the evolution of making Bat with handcraft in the household industry to machinery industry. Especially in 1967, Bat metal stamping processes were erected near Suk Sawat road, Rat Burana district – flooding the market and pushing out traditional household-based businesses. However, in 1992 (B.E. 2535), a few families revived the craft, which gradually gained momentum.

The adaptation era: In 1997 to the present, the trend of learning with cultural ability has awakened. Government, individual sector, temple and educational institutions came to research, revamp and restore Bat making. We want to preserve original Bat making, reform Ramwong Ban Bat (Ban Bat’s folkdance), search for Ban Bat’s Identity as well as change the Urban development policy.

Nowadays, the business of Bat has a multi-channel approach that includes selling in various religious supply stores, establishing a storefront in the community, and opening an online trading platform.