The Role of the Family Institution as Reflected in Proverbs of Traditional Lanna Society

Abstract

This article aims to analyze the role of the family institution as the primary mechanism  of social organization and socialization in traditional Lanna society through the lens of proverbs. An analysis of proverbs collected from oral tradition reveals the role of the Lanna family in four key areas: 1) instilling social hierarchy and gratitude, 2) ensuring family stability and functioning as a social safety net, 3) establishing the institution of marriage and regulating sexual conduct, and 4) transmitting moral and ethical values. This study demonstrates that the Lanna family institution employed proverbs as a powerful cultural tool to define social statuses and roles, instill discipline, and shape aspirations among its members. Proverbs not only reflect worldviews of Lanna society, but also function as a mechanism through which the family reproduces and transmits social structures across generations. Thereby maintaining the stability of the family and kinship system, which lies at the heart of Lanna society