ภูมินามพื้นบ้าน : ประวัติศาสตร์ท้องถิ่นกับวรรณกรรม พื้นบ้านในเขตภาคเหนือตอนบน

Abstract

This study considers the local history and folk literature that appeared in the indigenous place name of village or some sacred areas in the northern region of the country. The indigenous place name reflects the way in which indigenous people ideology about culture, its meaning and close relationship with their communities. Local history has been part of an ideological movement to fight for a meaning and social space of local communities and against the domination of a mechanics of centralized governance, religion, media, and modern education. These mechanics has degenerated the local community’s integrity, values, and social meaning. The place name of many villages has been distorted from its original meaning. This could result in a loss of local history for the communities to have their own narrative of identity for the next generation. The findings reveal that the communities in the upper north Thailand were named after a variety of contexts including topography (Ban Den, Ban Don, Ban San Pa Sak, Ban Huai Kiang, Ban Thung Khao Nao, Ban Pa Phai), influence of folk literature (Ban Ya Phai, Ban Saluang, Ban Phra Non, Ban Langka), craftsmanship specialization (Ban Chang Khong, Ban Chang Taem, Ban Wua Lai, Ban Roi Phom), local heroism (Ban San Taphap), ethnicity (Ban Mon, Ban Rong Meng, Ban San Na Meng), and dominant characteristic (Ban Bo Sang, Ban Nam Bo Luang, Ban Bo Khang). The original name place of many villages was replaced with a new one which simply carries a distorted meaning or makes no sense. A new version of narrative about the communities’ history was invented to replace the original one. When the cultural diversity of the indigenous communities has been dominated, it means the degradation of their dignity and autonomy. This can lead to the weakening of autonomy of nation states. Raising awareness and confidence in the indigenous communities to realize their power and dignity is a means to strengthening the nation state and coexisting on the basis of cultural diversity.