The Syncretism of Chinese and Local Beliefs: A Case Study of Phra Suea Mueang Shrine and Pho Than Muang Thong Shrine, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province

Abstract

 The purposes of the research article are to 1) examine the characteristics of the syncretism of the Chinese and 2) analyze the factors in the syncretism of Chinese and local beliefs. This study is qualitative research based on documentary research data and fieldwork. The selection of informants in purposive sampling includes 1) 7 members of the administration of the shrine committees and 2) 10 people believers and people who know these shrines—creating content analysis and presenting by descriptive analysis.
The results showed that there were three characteristics of syncretism. Firstly, there was a combination of the beliefs in Bentougong (本头公), a Chinese deity, and local deities. Secondly, there were local statues of deities in Chinese shrines. Lastly, there was a fusion of diverse religious beliefs shown in traditions and rituals during annual festivals. There were three factors in syncretism. Firstly, there were Chinese and local deities in the same context. Secondly, Environmental geography. Lastly, the Administration of the shrine committee. The syncretism of different beliefs shows how these two groups of people could live peacefully in a multicultural society. Besides that, syncretism also becomes a new wisdom that develops from the dynamic of folk culture.