The Existence of Tai Yai Ethnic Identities in Mae Hong Son Province

Abstract

The objectives of research aimed to analyze the identities of Tai Yai ethnic appeared on his proverbs and to analyze the existence and changes of Tai Yai ethinic identities in Mae Hong Son. The proverbs deriving from 6 sources were 1) Ka Le Man Tai in Chan by Banchob Bandhumedha 2) Tai by Chaladchai Ramitanon, Wirada Somsawat, and Renu Wichasin 3) Tai Yai Proverbs by Primary Mae Hong Son Educational Service Area Office 1 4) A Study of Tai Yai Proverbs by Nanthariya Sah-iam, 5) Tai-Lanna Proverbs, Mae-Ai district, Chiang Mai province: A Comparative Folklore Study by Marium Srisuwan and 6) Tai Yai proverbs from Kon Rak Pasa Tai by Supatra Chaiprom. The total was 2,880 proverbs. The frameworks were Ethnicity by Ericksen for analysis of Tai Yai ethnic identities, Glocalization by Robertson for analysis of the existence. The result found Tai Yai identities appeared 177 proverbs. The identities and divided into 5 groups; language use, tradition and beliefs, material culture on architecture, local art, and career. The existence of Tai Yai ethnic identities found that the long-distance trade was disappeared from Tai Yai ethnic identity because of the changing society. Another identity hardly found in general but only in elders and some groups was tattoo. The selected identities by Mae Hong Son communities from past to present were temple, language, food, costume, tradition, handicraft, ritual, performing art, and musical instrument.