Whiskey : Role in Isan society

Abstract

          The purpose of the study was to study role of whiskey in Isan community through the Structuralism and Functionalism of William Bascom which including 4 functions and structures; 1) for entertaining, 2) for ceremony significance, 3) for education, and 4) for social norms. Roles are significant for giving status because they are one of conservative of social stabilities.
          The results shown that there were 4 roles of Whiskey in Isan; 1) to cope with frustration; tools for entertainment, tools for making friends, tools for relaxing, 2) to be the part of the ceremonies; feeding ancestral spirits, being in wrist-binding ceremony, paying respect for local Isan songs, sacrificing, and paying respect for field ghosts, 3) to be nutrient as a medicine, 4) to be the social norms; social organization,  and the conservation of tradition and ceremony. In conclusion, there were 4 roles of whiskey in Isan based on the Structuralism and Functionalism of William Bascom; for entertaining, for ceremony significance, for education, and for social norms.