STRENGTHENING THE COMMUNITY WITH THE LOCAL WISDOM OF BAN SIAO NOI COMMUNITY, MUANG DISTRICT, CHAIYAPHUM PROVINCE

Abstract

            The purpose of this research was to study the social, political, cultural and economic contexts and the use of local wisdom in strengthening Ban Siao Noi, Muang District, Chaiyaphum Province by using a qualitative method. The research tools were an in-depth interview form and focus group discussions. The key informants included the members of a natural-dyed silk weaving group, academics, monks, village scholars, community leaders, village groups and government and private organizations. Data were analyzed by descriptive analysis. The research results are as follows.  Based on the study of the social context, the community relationship is strong with the horizontal social structure. There is mutual respect among community members, resulting in good collaboration in the operations or activities of the community. In terms of the political aspect, the administration is organized according to the rules and procedures of the Ministry of Interior. There are 2 types of the village administrative committee: The appointed village administrative committee, consisting of the village headman, the assistant village headman and Subdistrict Administrative Organization members and the elected village administrative committee. The community administrative structure is divided into groups, known as “Koom”, for the convenience of supervising and disseminating information to the community members. As for the cultural and economic contexts, the traditional merit practiced in the community is a tool to promote love and unity among people in the community, affecting the community activities. Regarding the use of local wisdom in strengthening the community, it has been achieved by the participation of all sectors in the community. It is also linked with career development. The community has been strengthened through various funds in the community and the wisdom of water wheel. In terms of the social aspect, people in Ban Siao Noi have gathered together to do various activities. As for the political aspect, people in the community give importance to elections at the community, local and national levels. Exercising the right to vote is the way to cultivate people to participate in the elections properly. In terms of cultural aspect, the tenth month merit-making tradition (making merits for family members, relatives or other people who passed away) is a tool to make people in the community love each other and have unity, affecting the activities of community organizations. Based on the economic aspect, there are occupations related to sericulture, silk weaving and other products from sericulture such as mulberry leaf tea, mulberries, protein-based cosmetic products and mulberry extract.