Thai Black Lives Matter: "Maniq not Sakai" knowledge comics
On 3 June 2020 3 June 2020 By Nicolas VerstappenIn Comics by CommArts Students, Faculty of Communication Arts (Chulalongkorn University), Knowledge Comics, Thai Comics, Thailand2 Comments
As part of the "Thai Culture for Communication: Graphic Narratives" course, fresh.wo.men at the International Program of the Faculty of Communications Arts (Chulalongkorn University, Thailand) were asked to compose a knowledge comics on the usually-derogatory representation of the indigenous Maniq ethnic group in Thai culture. Known as 'Ngo Paa' in Thai (and sometimes referred to as Negritos or Sakai), the MAniq people live in the forests of Southern Thailand and were essentiliazed as a dark-skinned traditional folktale figure. The following graphic narrative -composed by students Tiara, Prim, Name and Praewah- offers an interesting insight on this Thai population, and on the cultural biases and unfair treatments they suffered, as well as a message of understanding and hope. Because #BlackLivesMatter in Thailand too.
A portrait of Kanang, a Maniq orphan welcomed by King Chulalongkorn at the court in the early 20th century.
"During the period that Kanang lived with King Chulalongkorn, he was generally considered as the King's adopted son (Duangjan 1988). At the court, Kanang was taught how to dance and play the part of the Negrito in the Sangthong play, and he became the regular actor of this role in performances before the king's guests. The sensational moment in the drama is when Prince Sangthong takes off his 'ugly' Negrito mask to reveal his beautiful noble self. The audience was shocked to see that under the mask was a real live Ngo Paa." ​Nathan Porath ["Developing indigenous communities into Sakai in South Thailand and Riau (Indonesia)", 2003]