ラオスにおける染料植物利用とその多様性

Abstract

ラオスにおける染料植物利用の現状を把握することを目的として, 国内16ヶ所を対象に聞き取り調査を行った.その結果, 57種の利用が確認できた.この57種は, 複数の調査地において頻繁に利用される19種と, 特定の地域や個人に利用が限定されていた38種に分けられた.染料植物として利用する種がかなり特定されているが, 地域的には様々な染料植物利用の技術が継承されているといえ, 現在も尚, 利用染料植物とその技術の多様性が維持されていた.南部のSavannakhet県Lahanam村の事例では, 2種の藍以外にも13種の植物が藍染めの工程におけるpH調整などに利用されていた.また, すべてが天然染色であることを求める国外市場の要求に合わせ, 藍の色と組み合わせる他の様々な染料植物も必要となっていた.国外市場における手紡・天然染色・手織りといった「手作り」や「自然」に対する評価は高く, 天然染色を軸とする商品生産化により, 今後も市場経済化が進む中で「染料植物利用の多様性」をある程度保つことが可能かもしれない.

This study investigated the utilization of various plants as natural dyes and mordants in the Lao P.D.R. From 16 research sites in the country, 57 plants species that are locally used as dyes were confirmed by interview and participant observation. Of these species, 19 were frequently used at several research sites. The other 38 species were infrequently used in a specific region or at an individual village. This means that people concentrate on the use of specific dye plants, while they still use plants available locally. As a result, diversity in the use of dye plants is retained. Lahanam Village, in Savannakhet Province, was studied to clarify the process of indigo dyeing and the utilization of plants in the process. In addition to 2 species of indigo, 13 species were used as mordants. In this village, colored yams dyed with several other plants are used together with indigo-dyed yarn to weave products for export to meet the demand of the overseas market. Natural dyes are attracting attention worldwide due to increased environmental awareness. The global awareness of natural dyes has a far-reaching impact to the small-scale textile industries in Laos and utilization of dye plants and their diversity in the Laos may be preserved in spite of ongoing development of market economy system in recent years.