An Analytical Study of Cultural Values Embedded in the Beliefs of the Elephant-Capturing Ritual among the Kui Ethnic Group
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Abstract
This academic article aims to study the cultural heritage and identity of the Kui Ajiang community in Surin Province, an Indigenous ethnic group that has played a significant role in the history of elephant-catching in Thailand. The study emphasizes the analysis of both tangible cultural heritage (such as elephant-catching tools, equipment, and historical community sites) and intangible cultural heritage (such as rituals, beliefs, oral histories, and knowledge transmitted by elders). These elements reflect a coherent cultural system that is valuable for preservation through community-driven revitalization. The objectives of this study are: (1) to document the heritage of Kui elephant catchers in order to understand the identity formation of the Kui Ajiang community; (2) to analyze the socio-cultural dimensions of traditional knowledge; and (3) to promote the conservation of traditions at risk of disappearance for transmission to future generations. This research also highlights the dynamics of Kui heritage in the context of contemporary society, which must adapt amid pressures from cultural commercialization, tourism, and economic change. The academic significance of this research lies in the preservation of disappearing traditional knowledge, the creation of in-depth ethnographic data on the Kui Ajiang community, and its contribution to Thai Indigenous studies, heritage conservation, and anthropology. Furthermore, it reflects the experiences of Indigenous groups in Southeast Asia facing challenges from modernization. The findings of this study can serve as a basis for policy development in cultural heritage protection, eco-cultural tourism, Indigenous rights, and the sustainability of ethnic traditions.
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