A comparison of Ritual Performing by Traditional Akha and Akha People on Doi Pha Mee for a Year,Chiang Rai Province.

Abstract

The objective of this research is to study the rituals performed by Akha people in one year according to the calendar cycle. The data was obtained from three sources; a document study, an Akha informant interview, and a field study at Doi Pha Mee. The study found that, during a traditional Akha calendar year-round, 22 rituals were performed, while the Akha people on Doi Pha Mee performed only three rituals. The reasons for the changes come from 3 factors; (1) being influenced by Akha Burmese people who work around the entrance of Doi Pha Mee, (2) the religion conversion of Akha people on Doi Pha Mee, and (3) the internal economy. In addition, the external cultures influenced the rituals of Doi Pha Mee people, in order to adjust both the thought system and the ritual pattern to suit the current social situation. All of the aforementioned factors, greatly influenced the cultural persistence of Akha people.