Dynamics in Cosmology and Worldview of Ethno-historical Consciousness and Place of Origin from the Analysis of Lao Song / Tai Dam ’s Ritual of Death

Abstract

The article is the finding and conclusion from the research project “Dynamics in Cosmology and Worldview of Lao Song / Tai Dam ’s Ritual of Death” proposed to Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Center (Public Organization). The study of textual analysis compares Lao Song / Tai Dam traditional prayer books, Kwam Bok Tang, in the funeral rite practiced in Sip Song Chu Thai area in Vietnam, where it’s the place of origin, and in Thailand. Field study and participant observation in the funeral ritual process, to investigate the idea mentioned in the text with the ritual practicing, also conducted in the Lao Song / Tai Dam community during 2018 in Thailand. The study conveys the dynamics in cosmology of Tai Dam in Thailand where Buddhism is implanted in the idea of their traditional cosmology and traditional funeral ritual process. Nevertheless, the structure of traditional cosmology Heaven and Earth, Muang Fha – Muang Lum, and structural ritual procedure are still preserved in principle essence. Whereas the worldview of ethno-historical conciousness and place of origin are always reinforced in the funeral rite. Accordingly, the cosmology and this kind of worldview play the significant role to construct their strong ethnic conciuosness and prominent ethnic identity of the group connecting their ethnicity wherever they are.