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Karen Thai Hill Tribe Silver
~ Where Does Karen Thai Hill Tribe Silver Come From?
Karen Thai Hill Tribe silver is handcrafted by the Kariang People of Thailand.
The Karen (or Kariang), along with other hill tribe minority groups, first appeared in northern Thailand between two and three hundred years ago. It is believed that they originated in Tibet or southern China. Racial memories and oral traditions about bitter cold could possibly place their origins as far away as Mongolia and the Gobi Desert. The Karen People lived a semi-nomadic life, migrating about once every seven years. The Karen are a collection of related tribes with similar lifestyles, customs, and languages.
In the 1920s and 1930s, the Kuomintang recruited various hill tribe groups, including Karen People, to raise cash crops, specifically opium poppies, to generate funds for the Chinese government-in-exile. The practice proved so lucrative that many hill tribe groups continued to produce opium and heroin even after the Kuomintang abandoned them.
In 1969, the Thai Royal Project was launched, with the aim of transforming hill tribe economy from one based on illicit drugs to one based on food agriculture and handicrafts. The project has been very successful and has significantly reduced the number of opium fields remaining in northern Thailand.
The Karen received the art of silversmithing. As part of the Royal Project, skilled jewelers were sent into Karen villages and taught the first generation of Thai Karen silver jewelry artists. These techniques were passed down the generations and now, they are so successful that the world of wholesale hill tribe silver begins and ends with the Karen Hill Tribes involved with the Project.
~ Is Karen Thai Hill Tribe Silver Sterling?
Each piece is hand made and unique. Even where a mold is used, the silver is still poured or hammered by hand. Karen Hill Tribe silver is categorized as fine silver; being 95% to 99% silver content, whereas sterling silver contains 92.5%. We have found that this lends to a brighter, less tarnishing look.
~ How Does the Sale of Karen Silver Beads Benefit the Tribe?
Karen silver beads are the most popular Thai silver item sold or purchased. Regardless, each piece of silver jewelry sold, whether a set of silver beads or a Thai Karen silver ring, benefits the tribe as a whole and sustains them without having to resort to opium cultivation.
~ How Does Gina St. Aubin designs support the Karen Thai Hill Tribe People?
Gina St. Aubin designs is very particular about which suppliers are used for any materials in our designs. In particular, we use only one supplier for Karen Thai Hill Tribe materials. Their supplier states...In making our jewelry, we will never compromise their safety or lifestyle. As our business grows, we also hope to increase funding to our many planned projects for the Karen Hill Tribe Villagers of northern Thailand.
~ A Note From Our Supplier :
Our artisans receive more than the average minimum wage. Through respect and dialog, we ensure not only the survival of this magnificent art, but also the long term welfare and health of our artisans and their families.
When buying Karen Hill Tribe Silver, you are ensuring that the next generation of artisans will survive to preserve the works of their forefathers. Making silver has become a profitable advantage for the Hill Tribe families and an invaluable alternative to growing illicit crops or slash-and-burn farming.
(The supplier) funds education programs. In association with other charity organizations in Thailand, we wish to see an end to the exploitation of the villagers. Often times, entire villages can be seduced into growing illicit drugs in order to survive. There are also cases of individual families allowing their children to be sent away to large cities for factory work. Many times, they are deceived by the employer, and girls are set to work for the prostitution industry.
As part of our community goal, (The supplier) continues to fund the building of schools and training facilities for the villagers. Schools allow us to educate the children closer to their homes. In many cases, children walk miles to the schoolhouse, if there is one available at all.
Training facilities are aimed at helping older villagers. Through these facilities, we hope to help the Karen gain experience and employment. The courses range from simple education such as better farming techniques and chicken rearing to mechanic work and tourism hospitality.
~ A Note From Gina St. Aubin designs:
It is important for you to know that we are very proud to work with our supplier in supporting the People of Karen Thai Hill Tribe. Not only to we appreciate their craftsmanship, but we also appreciate their culture and are happy to work with a supplier who is working so hard to assist the Hill Tribe People.
As we move towards using more of this handcrafted silver, we want you to know that your continued interest in our designs that use the beads of the Karen Hill Tribe, you too are supporting their community.
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