Role and Status of the Traditional Chinese Music Ensemble of the Sawang Benjatham Foundation (Mengkak Sieng Tua) , Samut Songkhram Province

Abstract

The research, entitled “ The Study of Role and Status of the Traditional Chinese Music Ensemble of the Sawang Benjatham Foundation (Mengkak Sieng Tua),   Samut Songkhram Province” , aims to 1) Study the musical history of the Sawang Benjatham Foundation, Samut Songkhram Province, and 2) Study the role and status of the Sawang Benjatham Foundation band, Samut Songkhram Province. The research method focuses on qualitative education. Use the interview method from people with knowledge of music and Chinese-Thai community at the Sawang Benjatham Foundation, Mae Klong Subdistrict, Samut Songkhram Province. Analyze data by analyzing the content.

            The findings reveal the following data: 1) 1) The musical history of the Sawang Benjatham Foundation Samut Songkhram Province has used Chinese music for various rituals since the foundation's establishment in B.E. 1993 to the present by inviting Chinese teachers to teach music to people in the foundation for rituals. Later, contemporary Chinese music began to be brought in. The use of universal musical instruments was used to mix Chinese bands to make it more interesting and brought the foundation band to perform at various events across the country including foreign competitions as well. 2) The role and status of the Sawang Benjatham Foundation Band, Samut Songkhram Province, found to be very important to Chinese-Thai community because of various rituals, including Teochew prayers, funerals, burial for destitute and homeless death people, all use music as part of the ritual. The foundation therefore sees the importance of Chinese music very much. This also gives students the opportunity to be assertive and jointly preserve the arts and culture of Chinese-Thai community keep long lasts forever.