THE STUDY OF THAI AND LAOS TRADITIONAL CHILDREN’S GAMES OF LOCAL WISDOM

Abstract

       The objectives of this qualitative research were: 1) to study of Thailand and Lao PDR local wisdom of traditional children’s games. 2) to study patterns of the knowledge created from traditional children’s games of Thai and Lao and 3) to study guidelines for a conservation of Thai traditional children’s games. Data had been collected through in-depth interviews with local philosophers and community leaders of Ban Si Mueng Mai (located in Si Mueng Mai district, Ubon Ratchathani province, Thailand), and Ban Sing Samphan (located in Chana-Somboon city, Champasak province, Lao PDR). The collected data had been analyzed through a focused-group discussion with 13 specialists.

       The traditional children’s games and its local wisdoms found in Si Mueng Mai community have been inherited since the past time. The traditional children’s games have been played within a community or have been taught within academic institutes. Examples of the folk play found in Si Mueng Mai community are Sonha or Pong-pae, Monsonpha, Ri-ri-khaosan, Ngu-kinhang, Khi-ma Kan-kluai, Wing Suam-krasop, Ying-puen Kan-kluai, Makep, Doen Kha-thok-thek, and Doen Ka-po-mak phrao or Doen Ka-la. Moreover, the study also revealed that the traditional children’s games of Sing Samphan community in Chana-Somboon city, Champasak province, Lao PDR are similar and interrelated to the Thai traditional children’s games. Examples of the folk play found in Sing Samphan community consist of I-tua I-toi (Ta-chao-mueang), Yang Ka-po (Ka-po Mak-phrao), Ba Chi-nun, Wing Kha-thok-thek (Doen Khayang), Sueang-lang, Mak-li, and Son Pla-lot Pla-lad. The traditional children’s games found within communities of Thailand and Lao PDR are connected with people’s ways of life and the surroundings. Some traditional children’s games have beautiful melodies and lyrics which considered as a strategy for entertaining and promoting mental and physical health. In addition, the folk play can raise children’s awareness to practice basing on rules and regulations, to foster the sport spirit of children, and to learn to live with the nature.

       According to a conservation of local wisdoms related to the Thai folk play, guidelines are proposed as followings. 1) The local wisdoms related to the folk play of each place should be collected systematically. 2) Locals’ awareness about the importance and value of folk play should be raised. 3) There should be a revival of losing traditional children’s games. 4) The local wisdoms related to the folk play should be used as a tool to form a group, create a unity of people within a community, and provide a local curriculum in academic institutes through a cooperation of family and academic institute, and activities on a special occasion.

       As a result, it is very important to conserve the local wisdoms related to the traditional children’s games of Thailand and Lao PDR for the existence of traditional children’s games in today’s world. Such a conservation could be done by arranging a project to promote and conserve the local wisdoms on traditional children’s games of Thailand and Lao PDR based on a cooperation between communities through a participatory process.