When talking about Lanna dances, what comes first in your mind? For me, Fon Sao Mai (silk weaving dance) is one of the most prominent types of dances in the northern Thailand. It is usually performed in groups and has very slow, graceful, and almost meditative movements. Fon Sao Mai is newly choreographed to help preserve the weaving profession, which is one of the oldest professions in the northern part of Thailand. In addition, Fon Sao Mai depicts a traditional profession of northern Thai women in silk weaving. The dance imitates different processes of silk-weaving. Beside the gentle and feminine body movements, the patterns also include typical movements in the processes of silkworm tending, silkworm nest boiling, silk strand combing and the actual weaving. For generations, silk production is one of the top home industries in northern, northeastern Thailand and the neighboring country, Laos.
All together, the dance portrays the characteristic movements of the famous profession of the Thai northerners, a profession regarded with pride by the people, and deserving full attention and support.