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Making the traditional Thai crossbow
The material for this article was supplied by American Josh Woodard, a volunteer working in Thailand. Josh is concerned that the traditional skill for making the na mai crossbow may soon be lost unless something is done. Josh can be contacted via e-mail at jbw1978@hotmail.com.
The
na mai or crossbow has been used
traditionally for two purposes by the Phu Thai
people of Thailand. Its obvious usage is to hunt
small animals (such as frogs, toads, lizards, &
field mice) that have long been used to supplement
the diet of villagers. It also, however, plays a
very important part in the building of new homes.
Families hang up a crossbow on the first post laid
in new houses for good luck and to protect the home
from evil spirits. The
villagers are all from the Phu Thai ethnic group
who are originally from the border region of
northeast Laos and Vietnam. They currently number
about 400, 000 people, mostly residing in Laos and
Thailand.
Design
The curved design of the front of the crossbow is shaped to resemble the horn of a buffalo, which have long played an important role as the beasts of burden in rural Thailand.
The stock is made from a variety of wood, depending on cost and durability. The most durable stocks are made from Siamese rosewood (Dalbergia cochinchiensis Pierre), which is considered one of the nine sacred trees of Thailand. Daeng wood (Xylia xylocarpa Taub) and red sandalwood (Pterocarpus macrocarpus Kurz) are used for lower cost models. If none of these woods are on hand, the stocks can also be made from old bamboo, although these are the least sturdy of the bunch. The string comes from a local plant, while the arrows are made from bamboo and local leaves. The latch is a transverse notch in the stock, while the trigger is a peg that pushes the string up and out of the notch.
Production These
crossbows are currently made by Som Kampusa
(pictured at right) who is 62 years old. He learned
the skill at the age of 18 from his father (who is
now 90). They live in Noi Nong Pai Suan Village in
Sakon Nakhon province in Northeastern Thailand. At
the moment, Mr. Kampusa is the only person of the
204 villagers who produces these crossbows,
although several other villagers are also skilled
in making them. Use The
crossbows fell out of fashion around 30 years ago
when guns were introduced to the area, although
have made a slight comeback in the past 2 years as
the Thai government has begun to restrict gun
usage. The villagers of Noi Nong Pai Suan grow
mostly rice and rubber trees along with raising
cows and buffalo. Most villagers have little land
(the largest family plot being only 4 acres) so
most people supplement their incomes by working as
hired hands on other people's fields.
Report prepared December 2006
