A Comparative Study of the Historical Development Process of Thai Molam and Chinese Molun Performing Arts

Abstract

This article is part of the thesis study entitled, “A Comparative Study of Thai Morlam
and Chinese Morlan”. The study employed the qualitative research methodology with the aim to compare the historical development of the performances in the areas selected purposively, namely in Mahasarakham, Roi-et and Khonkaen provinces in Thailand and in Jingxi, Debao and Baise cities in Guangxi region. The data were collected through interviews with experts, artists, scholars and audiences. The results revealed that both types of performances originated as folk performances and reflected the singing styles of the local people, and that no historical documents clearly recorded their origins. Thailand’s Morlam was passed on from Laos to the people in the upper class and was favored by Thai kings from the beginning, a key factor contributing to its widespread popularity in Thailand. China’s Morlan originated in a village in Jingxi city, Guangxi region, and was adopted by only the local people. It was not favored by the wealthy leaders. Such discriminating factor limited the future development of this form of performance in China.