Guidelines for the Transmission of Bhu-ja Drum Tradition in Nan Province

Abstract

This research paper investigated on the following objectives: 1) to study the history and value of Bhu-Ja drum tradition in Lanna province, 2) to study the problems of Bhu-Ja drum tradition transmission in Nan province, 3) to present the guideline for the transmission of Bhu-Ja Drum tradition in Nan province. This qualitative research involves content analysis and descriptive presentation.

The findings showed that the history of Gong Puja or the Bhu-ja Drum tradition spans four periods: 1) The Pre-Lanna Historical Period, where gong or drum were used in rituals involving ghosts and spirits, 2) The Lanna Historical Period, where Gong were used in warfare and religious ceremonies, 3) The Buddhist Period, where Gong facilitated communication between the religion and the state, and 4) The Present Period, where Gong are used in religious and social activities. This tradition holds value in five areas: 1) Cultural area, linking beliefs to Buddhist practices, 2) Educational area, promoting learning about the tradition, 3) Tourism, attracting cultural tourists, 4) Economic, generating income from developing materials and equipment, and 5) Social area, serving as a communication tool and social regulator. The issues in preserving the tradition involve; 1) Material problems, involving with damaged and insufficient materials, 2) Leadership, trainer, and instructor are not enough, and 3) Knowledge and curriculum gaps, lacking proper manuals for studying and teaching. The preservation guidelines are: 1) Addressing material and equipment through cooperation between agencies and community organizations, 2) Enhancing leadership, training, and instructing capabilities by supporting knowledge researches, and 3) Fostering knowledge and curriculum preservation by encouraging the knowledge management, improving curricula and manuals, and providing open opportunities for learning and teaching.