APPLICATION OF LOCAL WISDOM OF BLACKSMITHS FOR SELF-RELIANCE IN SUSTAINABLE EDUCATION: BANN SI YAEK PI COMMUNITY, KRUNGYAN SUBDISTRICT, THUNGYAI DISTRICT, NAKHON SI THAMMARAT PROVINCE

Abstract

 The objectives of this research included: 1) to study the history of local wisdom and background of blacksmiths for self-reliance in sustainable education; and 2) to study the application of local wisdom of blacksmiths for self-reliance in sustainable education in Bann Si Yaek Pi Community, Krungyan Subdistrict, Thungyai District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. It was a qualitative research through interviews and non-participant observation from the target group of 43 people. The data was analyzed through content analysis. The results of this research were as follows. 1) The ancestors of the blacksmith groups in Baan Si Yaek Pi community immigrated from the northern and the north-eastern regions. The northern group was led by Grandpa Smith Rattanaburi from Phrae Province.  In 1963, he married Grandma Duang Petch-Arwut who was a villager of Yaek Baan Pi in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. They resettled a new village named Bann Si Yaek Pi community since then. With the knowledge of blacksmiths inherited from his ancestors in Phrae Province, he used this knowledge for his occupation in Baan Si Yaek Pi community. For the northeastern group of households from Roi-et Province, their Grandpa Prabphon immigrated to resettle in Bann Si Yaek Pi Community in 1968. Since there were many competitive blacksmiths of the two groups inherited from their ancestors at that time, the skills have been transferred for generations that are still occupational skills in Baan Si Yaek Pi community till nowadays. 2) As the blacksmiths brought the forging knowledge from their ancestors to manage the available resources, this could help them increase their income while produce the quality products such as rubber slitting knives, big knives, palm cutting knives, coconut peeling tools, axes, hoes etc. Nowadays, there is more application of local wisdom in forging to produce more tools used in households such as chopping knives, slicing knives or kitchen knives. This helps the produced goods meet the needs of the customers. Furthermore, the villagers that have their occupations as blacksmiths in Bann Si Yak Pi community gather themselves as members of the blacksmith group. In addition, there have been local sages as the resource persons to provide knowledge for the interested members of the blacksmith group.  This can help local wisdom of forging be transferred to other new generations.