Folk wisdom from literary texts Sai Khao Subdistrict, Khok Pho District, Pattani Province.

Abstract

             This research aimed to 1) analyze the linguistic wisdom found in the medical manuscripts of Sai Khao Subdistrict, Kok Pho District, Pattani Province and 2) study the local wisdom and beliefs regarding disease treatments that were presented in the manuscripts. It was a qualitative study that involved fieldwork and the synthesis of documents. The primary data used were literary medical manuscripts from the region. Only well-preserved documents with complete content were selected, amounting to 45 medical recipes. Furthermore, the study evaluated language use. Interviews were conducted with the manuscript owners and local healers to gather more information.

            The research findings were as follows:

1. The linguistic wisdom evident in the medical manuscripts can be categorized into two features: 1) Wisdom related to the method of documenting the medical recipes. There are two key aspects: 1.1) The introduction of the drug formula, which is divided into beginning with the type of treatment, starting with the drug's direct name, or initiating by using the symptoms of the disease as the drug's name. 1.2) The conclusion of each drug formula, either by indicating the drug's therapeutic properties or by ending with a magical incantation. 2) Wisdom in using the Southern dialect for recording. This includes using specific local terms both in sound and meaning and documenting the script according to the southern dialect pronunciation mixed with standard Thai, making it understandable to the local population.


2. The wisdom related to beliefs about treatment can be divided into two core beliefs: 1) Beliefs about the Triple Gem (Rattana Tri) and supernatural powers. 2) Beliefs about occultism, which are conveyed through the types of drugs, the method of preparing the medicine, and references to the supernatural powers. These beliefs, passed down through generations, ensure the user feels the herbal medicine used in the treatment is valuable, instilling hope and strength in patients and their families, and enhancing the credibility of the manuscript holder. 3) Beliefs associated with choosing herbs for treatment, such as the belief in the "color" of plants in healing. For instance, plants with a red color, like Indian Leadwort, are believed to nourish the blood.