DANCE AS TEXT, CHANT AS TEACHER: CONCEPTUAL METAPHORS OF SOUTHERN THAI WORLDVIEWS IN NORA CHANT

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze conceptual metaphors in the traditional Nora dance chants, with a focus on two key sections: the Invocation of the Masters (Bot Sansern Khru) and the Master’s Teaching (Bot Khru Son). These sections played a vital role in the Nora Rong Khru ritual, reflecting the beliefs, worldview, and way of life of Southern Thai communities. Drawing on the conceptual metaphor theory proposed by Lakoff and Johnson, the research treats metaphor was not merely as a linguistic device but as a fundamental mechanism of human cognition. The study adopted a mixed methodology approach, using chant transcriptions from actual ritual performances, regarded as authentic cultural data. The chants were segmented into four-line units, each assigned a reference code for systematic analysis. Metaphors were identified using the Metaphor Identification Procedure (MIP). The analysis of 48 lines revealed five prominent metaphor categories: 1) Knowledge is Liquid, 2) Art is Ritual, 3) Learning is a Guide Journey, 4) Sound is a Possession, and 5) Teacher is a Deity. These metaphors demonstrated that Nora chants served as a rich linguistic and cultural space embedded with coherent systems of thought and belief. They also illustrated the integration of universal and culture-specific metaphors, offering deeper insight into the symbolic meaning of Nora performance.