Woman and their role as Thai traditional music teacher (1932 - 1957)

Abstract

This article studies the transformation in the role and status of female Thai traditional musicians during 1932 – 1957. It finds that the transformation was caused by three factors. The first factor was the change of the patrimonial system supported by Siamese high society in the time of absolute monarchy. The second factor was due to administrative changes in Siam after 1932. The image of the woman differed from that in the traditional society in many ways, such as in social expectations and values concerning women, especially, with regard to women’s labour). The last factor was the government policy to preserve some royal traditions as part of the national identity, in which the Fine Arts Department was the main driving force. Despite a growing number of female Thai traditional music teachers, women and their role as Thai traditional music teachers was limited, because conventions of Thai traditional music culture were clearly still rigid.