This project will document the material knowledge system relating to the fabric of the lobung, wooden poles representing Moken’s founding ancestors. The Moken are an Austronesian nomadic population, living in the Myeik Archipelago (Myanmar). Every year at the transition between the dry- and rainy-seasons, Moken subgroups perform a “bo lobung” (“making the lobung”) ceremony, during 3 days. Amidst a growing pressure on land and sea-based resources from fisheries and development projects (aquaculture, hotels), the Moken way of life has been enduring drastic changes since the 1990s, putting an end to hundred years of nomadism on-board their home boats, known as “kabang”. The “bo lobung” ceremony and related material practices is the main material knowledge system remaining in this society. Though these ceremonies are still well alive among certain Moken groups, elders fear new generations will lose the knowhows (especially shamanism) necessary to perform these rituals. Interestingly, lobung’s shapes and decorations have been evolving through time, but also from one sub-group to another, notably to reflect changes in the Moken way of life. Through both fieldwork documentation (360° video, video, photos, sketches and roadbook) and interviews about the Moken Alive Museum archives, the project will look at the set of know-hows that lobung-making involves, who detain these knowhows and how the material knowledge system evolved through time and space. Doing so, this project seeks to understand its role in maintaining Moken identity, while allowing the expression of change (social, cultural, economic).
Lobung detail Lengan (2018). Photo: Laurent Parienti
Lobung painting in Nyawi subgroup (2019). Photo: Jean Chicoteau
Lobung from Nyawi subgroup (2018). Photo: Laurent Parienti
Lobung from Nyawi subgroup (2018). Photo: Laurent Parienti
Lobung from Nyawi subgroup (2018). Photo: Laurent Parienti
Painting lobung in Lebi (2007). Photo: Jacques Ivanoff
White Lobung, Jait subgroup (2004). Photo: Jacques Ivanoff
Lobung from Chadiak Moken subgroup (2017)
The shaman’s altar (papan puti) at the foot of a Nyawi’s lobung (2017). Photo: Jacques Ivanoff
Lobung detail from Nyawi subgroup (2019)). Photo: Jean Chicoteau
Lobung from Lata Moken subgroup (Thailand), 1984. Photo: Jacques Ivanoff
The bo lobung ceremony in Lebi (2007): dancing for the ancestors’ spirits. Photo: Jacques Ivanoff
Lobung from Nyawi subgroup (2018)
Lobung ensemble with the ophidian protector “ Ménèt ” (right), Lengan (2018). Photo: Laurent Parienti
A model airplane to travel the spirits of the ancestors (Jait subgroup, Lengan 2018). Photo: Laurent Parienti
Carving a lobung in Nyawi subgroup (2018). Photo: Laurent Parienti
Painting lobung in Lebi (2007). Photo: Maxime Boutry
White couple of lobung/ancestors, Jait subgroup (2004). Photo: Jacques Ivanoff
Lobung ceremony in Nyawi subgroup (2019). Photo: Jean Chicoteau
Lobung ceremony in Nyawi subgroup (2018). Photo: Laurent Parienti
Lobung from Nyawi subgroup (2018). Photo: Laurent Parienti
Carving lobung in Nyawi (2019). Photo: Maxime Boutry
Lobung from the disappeared subgroup of Daké in Lengan (2004). Photo: Jacques Ivanoff
Lobung in the village of Nyawi subgroup (2019). Photo: Jean Chicoteau
A lobung is being carried to the sacred place in Bushby (2007). Photo: Jacques Ivanoff
Carving lobung in Lebi (2007). Photo: Jacques Ivanoff
PI:
Jacques Ivanoff
Collaborators:
Maxime Boutry, Fabienne Galangau-Quérat, Khin Maung Htway
Location of Research:
Myeik Archipelago, Myanmar
Djalé, Ye Tun Myint, Maxime Boutry, Fabienne Galangau-Quérat, Jacques Ivanoff (2018). Photo: Laurent Parienti
Khin Maung Htway, Magyon Galet (2019)
Top Banner Image: A shaman performing the lobung ceremony. Photo: Laurent Parienti
