“Thong Mia Wo”, a ritual and belief of the Pwo Karen Ethnic Group in Ban Rai Pa, Huai Khayeng Sub-district, Thong Pha Phum District, Kanchanaburi Province

Abstract

This area-based study examined community context
and investigated a ritual and belief in an agricultural system in
upland rice farming in Ban Rai Pa, Huai Khayeng Sub-district,
Thong Pha Phum District, Kanchanaburi Province. The data of this
qualitative study were collected using semi-structured in-depth
interviews,as well as participant and non-participant observations.
Respondents were selected through purposive sampling, and the
study area was Village No. 5, Ban Rai Pa, Huai Khayeng Subdistrict,
Thong Pha Phum District, Kanchanaburi Province.
The study found that “Thong Mia Wo” is a ritual and
belief in sacred items and natural protectors that are involved
in human lives from birth to death. Thus, “Thong Mia Wo” is
a precious treasure which the Karen tribe usds to teach their
children to preserve natural resources, forests, and streams.
This can become unique identity of the community. Such life
style results in food security of Ban Rai Pa Community, a new
border area in the west of Kanchanaburi Province where Pow
Karen people live. Their livelihood is influenced by the rules
relating to their ritual and belief and their upland rice farming
system that harmonize with a concept of sustainable
agriculture or alternative agriculture inherited in this tribe.
“Thong Mia Wo” is a flexible ritual that not only allows
people to adapt themselves to situations that change over
time but also creates sustainable food security, particularly at
the household level in this community.