Knowledge of Ka-Lhor Case Study Mr.Khum Boonkerd

Abstract

Ka-Lhor music is originated from the southern Thailand. It is played at the funeral and has a crucial role due to the local belief that playing this kind of music at the funeral, the song will lead the spirit of the decease to heaven. Moreover, there is an assumption that the idea of this music was taken from the southern India cultural. Then, It was spread to the area of Malaya Peninsula before entering to the south of Thailand. This music mingled with the local legend and Buddha's biography. Therefore, the Ka-Lhor music became folk music.

The knowledge inheritance of Ka-Lhor music has strict rules and regulations. It is impossible to transfer to the outsiders. Due to this, the knowledge of Ka-Lhor music is not prevalent in general society and because the person who will receive those knowledges has to follow many strict rules and regulations, hence, fewer people are able to inherit this kind of music currently.

Mr. Khum Boonkerd is an inheritor of Ka-Lhor music from his ancestors for over 150 years. He has played this kind of music for more than 60 years and he has always followed the rules and regulations. He knows about the story of witchcraft, occultism, southern Thai tradition and music. Therefore, this can be claimed that he is literally one of the southern Thai cultural experts.