MOTHERHOOD AND THE PRESERVATION OF THAI FOLK MUSIC

Abstract

Motherhood plays a crucial role in the preservation of cultural heritage in Thai society. This study investigates the relationship between motherhood and the preservation of Thai folk music through a case study of Mae Srinuan Kham-Art, the National Artist of Folklore Performance in 2019, who plays significant role in Thai folklore music. The research employs a qualitative approach, utilizing in-depth interviews by key informant; Srinuan Kham-Art, daughter, and colleagues, on site survey and observation, and non-participant observation mixed with documentary collection concerning motherhood and intangible cultural heritage preservation analyzed in motherhood and preservation concept. This research has ethical approval from the Human Research Ethics Committee of Thammasat University, Certificate No. SSTU-EC 174/2568, date of approval January 8, 2026. The findings indicate that Srinuan’s maternal role operates in activities across three key cultural spaces: the home, the learning center, and the media sphere, where she assumes the roles of mother (Mae), master teacher (Mae Khru), and folk song master (Mae Phleng) with the transmission process; oral narrator, demonstration, and performance. These roles have not only highlighted intrinsic motherhood linking cultural perspective in everyday life and space but also have sustained folk music among social changes. Furthermore, Srinuan’s practices reflect several important principles of heritage preservation, including continuity, creative adaptation, consistency of transmission, and collaborative engagement. Nevertheless, the use of motherhood as a framework for preserving folk music also faces challenges related to gender status and aging, which require strategic support from cultural institutions and relevant stakeholders.