Soul Singer Bolted into the Political Beliefs of the Local ISAN

Abstract

This research aims to study the spirit of the storytelling Isan folk performance (Morlumkorn) developed into Isan political beliefs. The Morlumkorn has long deep root and influences the development for many decades in Isan. It serves as political communication for local Isan efficiently. This research is qualitative research adopting the SMCR concept of communication process endorsed by Davit Cribbero as an analytical framework for analyzing Morlumkorn influencing the development of political communication. The data presented in the research collected from both document and interviews. The documentary data were extracted from historical documents and relevant story Isan folk. In terms of interviews, numbers of key informants were interviewed comprising: 10 Isan folk performers; 5 Isan folk composers; 5 audiences; and 3 experts. The study revealed that Isan folk performance (Morlumkorn) considerably influences Isan community and Thai society as a whole. It serves as ways of communication for Isan people. At the same time, it’s role is as traditional medias to both maintains entertainment as well as to presents the political issues through verse (kornlum) for Isan people since the historical time to present. The Isan folk performance (Morlumkorn) therefore influences the political perception and belief of Isan people representing how effectively its role as the ways of political communication and the development of political belief of Isan people