MON DANCE: THE HISTORY AND THE INHERITANCE OF CULTURAL HERITAGE IN PATHUM THANI PROVINCE

Abstract

          This investigation has the following objectives: to study the history and the inheritance of cultural heritage in Pathum Thani Province. This qualitative research was conducted in Pathum Thani Province (the central of Thailand). Data were collected from documentary study and field data by means of observation, interview and group discussion. Workshops were also held with a total of 100 attendees, comprised of 20 key informants, 40 casual informants and 40 general informants. Data were validated using a triangulation technique and findings were presented using descriptive analysis.
           The research found that the history and the inheritance of cultural heritage of Mon Dance in Pathum Thani Province. The assumption that was started with the migration of Mon people who escaped from Ayutthaya period before the reign of King Narai (1160) until Rattanakosin period, from Martaban and nearby towns (south of Myanmar) to Sam Khok, Pathum Thani Province in Thailand. While immigrates came, the performers likely came too. At first Mon dance was performed only in the culture and tradition of Mon people later became so widely popular especially in the traditional funeral ceremonies, because of believing as merit celebration, sending one who passed away to the heaven. The cultural of Mon Dance was transmitted from generation to generation by the memory. At first, it was transmission by Mon teachers. Then the environment, tradition and culture changed so that in the next generation, they were bringing their ideas into creative for the perfect and beautiful as the needs of the society and culture.