Cultural Dynamics of People Along Cambodian Thai Border : Apocalypse and Play

Abstract

The objectives of this research were: (1) To study the historical values and the importance of beliefs and plays of the people along the Thai-Cambodian border; (2) To study the cultural relations of the people along the Thai-Cambodian border through the dimension of beliefs and plays; (3) To analyze the beliefs and plays and the relations building among the people along the Thai-Cambodian border. It is a qualitative research by studying relevant documents and research and by discussing with target groups. The results of the discussion were analyzed and written in the research report by using descriptive method. The study found that historical value and importance of beliefs and plays of the people along the Thai-Cambodian border played important roles in coexistence of the people in society and helped the hopeless to be recovered from illnesses. All the occurred values had affected the people in the area in the following aspects: 1. cultural values; 2. economic values; 3. therapeutic values; and 4. social values. Values and importance of beliefs and plays of the people along the Thai-Cambodian border could, thus, be concretely and explicitly seen as the followings: 1) gratitude; 2) harmony; 3) sacrifice; and 4) generosity etc. Cultural relations of the people along the Thai-Cambodian border had been through various dimensions of beliefs and plays. The belief in the ritual "Ma Muat" has been descended from generation to generation and has been changed according to the stages and conditions of economy, politics, and technology. The elements of belief consist of ritual concepts and ritual practitioners such as beliefs in spirits, beliefs for healing illnesses, belief in medium of the "Ma Muat" by organizing rituals and communion with spirits through the mediums called “teachers”. The cultural relations through the dimensions of beliefs and plays of “Ma Muat” rituals included: 1. cultural relations; 2. economic relations; and 3. social relations etc.