Cultural knowledge of Lue-Kalom Tobacco leaf curing barns

Abstract

Lue-Kalom people lived in Ban Na Yang, Nam Nok, Luang Prabang Lao People's Democratic
Republic, mostly sales tobacco leaf as their careers. The tobacco leaf curing barns are built of their local
materials, such as straw, rice, clay, bamboo, etc., which rely on their creative wisdom of ethnic groups. The
curing processes are add value of their tobacco leaf. From this field study survey found that the building of
the tobacco curing barns are rectangular in shape. The size of the area is about 36 square meters which is 7
meters high. They constructed of clay rice straw wall. It is a solid wall on all four sides to trap heat. The
roof is gable. Cover with zinc roofing sheet. The ceiling under the roof are built with wooden frames and
covered with clay to prevent the heat vented out on top. There are two window openings for the heat
ventilation which located on the top of the walls. The wisdom of these building create a unique style of
architecture. They are low cost and easily construction which can add value of the tobacco leaf. The results
of the study on the pattern of tobacco plant buildings of Lue-Kalom people can be further applied to
improve the design of tobacco plant development in Thailand.