Page 115 - การถ่ายทอดองค์ความรู้ของครูภูมิปัญญาท้องถิ่น อำเภอควนเนียง จังหวัดสงขลา

Procedures/steps for bulrush reed preparation

Procedures/steps for bulrush reed preparation are as follows:
1. Uproot the bulrushes reeds with the stem size of not less than 1 meter. Group the bulrush

stems according to the stem length. Cut both ends of stems neatly.
2. Dip the stems into mud (an homogeneous whitish mud) to prevente the products made of
bulrush stems from breaking. Thus they can be used longer.
3. Next thoroughly dry the stems in the sunlight on a clean surface or a wood floor for 1-2 days
for fungus/mold prevention.

4. Then neatly peel the shell at the bottom of dried bulrush stems. Tie the stems with same
length into bundles. In a bundle of stems of about 5-6 diameter. (1 bundle of stems can be used to make l
mat with 1.20 m x 2 m.)

5. Flatten the stems with a roller. (A roller is a concrete cylinder 14-16 inch in diameter and 3
feet in length.) Then pound a bundle of the flattened stems with a wooden mortar. Two workers facing each
other pound the stems, one walk forward pounding, the other walks backward pounding for 1-2 rounds. Then
do the same on the other side. Finally, the flattened stems are ready for weaving.

Bulrush Stem Dyeing
Nowadays the handicrafts producers of bulrush products develop their products in many ways to
serve a variety of requirements including patterns and colors. Consequently, bulrushes stems are dyed for

beauty and attraction. Bulrush stems should be dyed with strong colors such as green, dark blue, orange,
magenta, purple etc.
Basic Dyestuff is suitable for dyeing bulrush stems according to its rigidity and very fast
absorption. It is also bright, clear and durable to sunlight. However, it is should not come in contact with

bleaching and scrubbing substances. Bulrush is only used to produce a limited types of products.

Weaving

A house or its outside area is used as a weaving workplace. When the place :is not flat or smooth
enough a ready-made bulrush mat is used to level the floor. The prepared bulrush stems are used to weave a
product in various patterns and styles depending on the worker's expertise and the demand.