A STUDY OF RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HEALTH CARE DEITY AND THAI-KUI GROUP IN SANGHA DISTRICT, SURIN PROVINCE

Abstract

San ArYhaJuay is a ritual of Thai – Kui people which had believed and practiced from ancient time. The ritual was inherited to generations in formed of processes, components and offerings.  There were historical evidences indicated that Thai - Kui people has moved from Champasak  area. This study was aimed to study belief of Thai –Kui people on health care deity, relationship between Thai – Kui people with health care deity and prior of health care deity  for Thai – Kui people. The proposed of San ArYhaJuay ritual was to connect to health care deity annually of planting and harvest time. This sacrifices aimed to worship the deity divided into 2 aspects 1) the 3rd month sacrifice to worship their products and 2) the sacrifice to ask for abundance of agriculture and water.  This traditional culture showed relationship between Thai-Kui people and health care deity that the deity was majored priority and respected the group from the past till nowadays.  The deity was believed as angel dwelled in sky but people placed the shrine for them mostly in the South of village and turn its front to the East. The deity was believed to protect and treat people to well-being. For Thai – Kui people, wherever they have settled down, the shrine will be built to worship health care deity and San ArYhaJuay ritual will be arranged annually.