A Study of The Indigenous Place Name and Local History in The Folk Legend about Father-in-Law, Chong Dong

Abstract

The objective of this article is to study the indigenous place names (toponyms) and local history existing in folktale called Father-in-law “Chong Dong” in Klong Saeng River basin Suratthani Province, which is a legendary story that was told continually in the form of folk tales. This study was done by collecting information from the villagers’ words and various related documents / information sources. The article is being processed by studying and analyzing values and the meaning of the local topographic system according to the theoretical concept with integrated characteristics including in folklore.

The result of this study is telling the history of the ancient community, Kraisorn Village located in Klong Saeng River Basin (at the present Ratchaprapa Dam) which mentioned about Chong Dong’s family. He had a daughter, “Thongteung” whom later got married with  Mr. Yomdeung. Yomdeung was a farmer. There were wild elephants destroying his farm crops, so he went to seek and hope to chase the elephants in the jungle where the current is Phang Nga area. He killed those elephants, and cut their ivory, then put them rest against the mountain. This is the origin of the name of Phan Nga Province. This local legend is related to the local landscape in various places in Phanom District, Surat Thani Province, which are Ban Louk Chang, Bang tarm, Chongloukprai, Khaoloan, Chongmarliew, Mharngaen, Landkharu, Khaophrahuk, Chonglom, Thamdin villages, and other local landscapes in Phan Nga Province including Ban Changnoi, Khaohinlap, Ban Takdaed, khao Chang, Thamphoungchang, Banglakhork, Vangmorkaeng, Chongkhaokhard, Thuppoud Villages. The value of Chong Dong legend enables us aware of the history and the reasons for the determination of the local landscape that is a reflection on the way of life, the ancestral belief and an entertainment tool which is worth preserving with continue living.