Knowledge Communication through Rituals and Sacred Objects of Songkhla Province

Abstract

        The objectives of the research are 1) to study traditional knowledge communicated trough rituals and sacred objects found in Songkhla province and 2) to study communication process of rituals and sacred objects found in the province. Researcher chooses Sating Phra Peninsula, a district of Songkhla province, to be the study area as it best reflects historical stories and acts as a religious center for Buddhism in the province. This research are based on depth interviews done with monks whose spiritual and magic knowledge have been renowned, on the participatory observation to the rituals, on the analysis of the sacred objects, and on research questionnaires done with the believers. Researcher utilizes the SMCR model and the concept of knowledge communication to decode the traditional knowledge embedded in the rituals and sacred objects and to study the communication process of the knowledge. 

        It is revealed that the traditional knowledge, communicated trough rituals and sacred objects found in Songkhla province, is based on religious knowledge which corresponds to the living conditions of Sating Phra Peninsula. The knowledge includes knowledge on mercy power for livelihood and trade, knowledge on fortune power for agricultural life, and knowledge on invulnerableness of weapons power for security. Additionally, it is found some integration of local wisdom on the rituals and sacred objects which includes knowledge on healthcare, transportation, occupation, language, experience, and local legends. As to the communication of knowledge, it is found that the monks are knowledge sender who utilize their tacit knowledge in the form of mind control to instill magic power and assign the meaning to the rituals and sacred objects while believers are knowledge receivers who carry must carry their faith in the Buddhist power and know how to use sacred spells for controlling their minds to make the rituals and sacred objects to be effective. This study reveals the connection between the living conditions of Sating Phra Peninsula and the unique knowledge communicated trough rituals and sacred objects found in the area.