The Treatment with Su kwan Ritual: Meaning Value and Identity of Thai people Northern and Northeast

Abstract

This research article aims to study the meaning and the value of healing with the Su Kwan Ritual and a reflection of the identity of the northern and northeastern Thai people from the aforementioned rituals by using the method of synthesis of folklore data. According to the research related to the healing of the Su Kwan Ritual that has been studied in the past 30 years from 1987-2017, treating diseases with the Su Kwan Ritual is important to the people in the traditional health culture society. “Su Kwan Ritual” is a call to bring Kwan back to the patient's body, resulting in recovery from illness. The ritual healing has direct value in relation to the care, prevention, and treatment of physical and mental diseases of the patients and indirect values related to maintaining good behavioral patterns of people in cultural societies. Su Kwan Ritual reflects both the “shared identity” of northern and northeastern Thai people, including respect for the supernatural and being an agricultural society, and a "unique character", namely the use of local dialects. It is also an important social and cultural mechanism as a life and spiritual driving force to help humans get through crises in life. At the same time, it helps individuals to connect with society, natural world, and the universe.