Vientiane Laos Ethnic identity and Intracultural communication of Temple in Amphoe Photharam, Changwat Ratchaburi
This research has aims to
investigate the intracultural
communication of temples on the
Vientiane Lao ethnic identity in
Photharam, Ratchaburi, and initiate a
guideline to conserve Ethnic Identity of
those people through temples in
Photharam, Ratchaburi. The research is
qualitative study of 70 temples,
conducted by using In-Depth Interview
with key persons such as local
intellectuals, Vientiane Lao leader,
abbot, together with Documentary Survey,
Temples Survey, and Non-Participant
Observation on the temple art
and
architecture, as well as social and
cultural activities and rites that have
been organized in the temples. The
findings reveal that the origin of
Vientiane Laos Ethnic group living in
Photharam are descended from their
ancestors who fled from war, migrated
from Vientiane to Thailand. They
established temples as focal point of
contact to bond the community. The
temples can form tangible
representations of the identity of the
group, for instance, the main hall of
Wat Kampangnue, Vientiane Lao’s
art and cultural
heritage of Wat
Boad, etc. Intracultural communication
on their identity can be made through
religious rites, such as Blessing
Ceremony for Pre-Ordination in which is
performing in Lao language, the belief
in the existence of their
ancestors’ spirits. Additionally,
the faith in Buddhism can be also
strongly reflected from their
ceremonies, such as Bun Koa Ji on Lunar
day, Flowers Parading Festival on the
day after Songkran, Removing the Rice
Wraps Ceremony, etc. For the guideline
to conserve the identity of the ethnic
group are that using faith and belief in
Buddhism where they can gather and keep
performing religious rites from
generation to generation, and
formulating positive relationship among
the community members and the temples,
additionally, conserving material
objects in temples that reflect
Vientiane Lao ethnic identity for their
future generations to learn and be proud
to inherit.
Credit : วนิดา ตรีสวัสดิ์
https://so05.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/irdssru/article/view/213862