The Study of Beliefs Reflected in Valuable Inheritances in Chinese-Thai Families in Kanchanaburi Province

Abstract

This research aims to: 1) study types and stories of inheritances in Chinese-Thai families in Kanchanaburi Province and 2) study beliefs reflected in inheritances in Chinese-Thai families in Kanchanaburi Province. The data were collected through interview of Chinese-Thai families in 3 districts including Muang, Ta Muang, and Ta Maka, with 16 informants and 41 inheritances. The research results revealed that 1) Chinese-Thai people in Kanchanaburi Province who possessed inheritances were vendors and they were Teochew ethnic group, followed by technicians who belonged to Hakka Chinese families. In terms of languages, it was found that most of them spoke Teochew, followed by Hakka. A small number of Chinese-Thai offspring could speak the dialect of their ancestors nowadays. Some of them could speak only simple words used in daily life. 2) The inheritances could be grouped into 5 types; items related to God, items used in daily life, occupational tools, items related to important rituals, and items related to education. It was likely that Teochew and Hakka inherited both similar and different items. In terms of similarity, it included beliefs and stories related to the inherited items. 3) Beliefs reflected in family inheritances could be grouped into 4 types; gratitude towards benefactors would bring prosperity in life, education could be the foundation of the future, worshipping the God and sacred items was essential, hard working and not exploiting others would bring successful life.