Wisdom, Lifeway, Belief, and Ritual of Rice in Buriram Province

Abstract

The research on wisdom, lifeway of life, belief and ritual of rice in Buriram Province aims to study the wisdom, lifeway of life, belief and ritual of the ethnic groups of Lao Isan, Suai, Thai Khmer and Thai Khorat in Buriram Province. The sample group used in this study was 80 farmers of 4 ethnic groups. The research instrument used was a structured interview. Data was collected by interviewing; data was checked by triangulation, and data was analyzed by content analysis. The results of the study found that the farmers of four ethnic groups had wisdom in rice farming, namely, homage to the earth goddess, setting shrine to paddy field spirit, carrying fertilizer, choosing the day to plant rice, choosing the day to sow rice, calling the buffalo spirit, plowing ceremony, making merit on the rice field, making merit on the barn, handicraft such as plow, harrow, barn. The formers of 4 ethnic groups had the way of life in rice farming, namely, preparing the area, preparing the soil, preparing water, selecting rice varieties, growing seedlings, planting rice, taking care of rice, fertilizing, preventing rice diseases, harvesting, and managing produce. The farmers of 4 ethnic groups believed in rice goddess, earth goddess, field spirit, ancestors’ spirit, shrine spirit, paddy field spirit, village ghost, and celestial spirit. The farmers of 4 ethnic groups had rice rituals, namely, Rice yard merit making ceremony, Rice picking ceremony in the barn, Rice blessing ceremony, Rice barn blessing ceremony, Rice goddess homage ceremony, Paddy field spirit planting ceremony, First ploughing ceremony, Earth goddess homage ceremony, Female cat procession ceremony, Rice paddy pagoda building ceremony, New rice merit making ceremony, Rice worship ceremony in the barn, Rice raising ceremony, Buffalo blessing ceremony, Rice picking ceremony.