Mae Hong Son Chicken: Beliefs, Rituals, and Local Wisdom with Approaches to Promote Community Food Security

Abstract

This qualitative folklore research aims to study the beliefs, rituals and local wisdom concerning Mae Hong Son chicken, as well as to explore approaches for promoting community food security through Mae Hong Son chicken. The researchers collected field data through interviews with people knowledgeable about Mae Hong Son chicken. Data were also collected on the rituals of the Shan ethnic group and the Red Karen ethnic group in Mae Hong Son Province during 2022-2024. The results showed that the beliefs, rituals and local wisdom of the Shan people included: 1) belief in the auspicious characteristics of the chicken according to the Shan texts; 2) belief in spirits; 3) belief in guardian spirits; 4) spirit-calling ritual; 5) guardian spirit feeding ritual; 6) New Year ceremony; 7) raising roosters to lure jungle fowls; and 8) observing the rooster's crowing time to tell the time. The beliefs, rituals and local wisdom of the Red Karen people included: 1) belief in the legend of chicken worship; 2) belief in prophecy; 3) belief in guardian spirits; 4) belief in spirits; 5) spirit-calling ritual; 6) chicken bone fortune-telling ritual; 7) forest spirit feeding ceremony; 8) rice harvesting ceremony; 9) second wedding ceremony; 10) Poi Ton Thee tradition; and 11) Poi Khao Tom tradition. There were three approaches to promote community food security through Mae Hong Son chicken: 1) establishing a community chicken trading center; 2) developing processed products from Mae Hong Son chicken; and 3) promoting knowledge about Mae Hong Son chicken among youth in educational institutions.