Preservation of Ethnic Identity: A Case Study of a Pga K’nyau Community in Li District, Lamphun Province

Abstract

The objectives of this study were 1. to examine the history and identity of the Pga K’nyau residing in Phra Bat Huai Tom community as well as 2. to investigate the internal and external factors influencing the preservation of the ethnic identity of the Pga K’nyau from the past to the present. This study employed the qualitative research methods. The population in this study was Pga K’nyau people from 10 villages in Phra Bat Huai Tom community, in Nasai Subdistrict, Li District, Lamphun Province. Data were collected through a review of related documents and the interviews with people in the community and were analyzed using the descriptive statistics.

The results showed that; 1) This community was originated from the faith in Kruba Chaiyawongsa Pattana of the Pga K’nyau people who moved out of their original settlement to build a community near Kruba Chaiyawongsa Pattana’s monastery. They lived together peacefully in the community since they had to strictly follow the five precepts of Buddhism and became vegetarians. Such peace and happiness caused a continuous inflow of the Pga K’nyau people from other places. 2) In terms of the preservation of the ethnic identity of the Pga K’nyau, Kruba Wong was the person who taught and urged the Pga K’nyau people to preserve their identity. When the community grew bigger, Kruba Wong had appointed “Taka” or the most respected person in each village to be responsible for the identity preservation. In addition, when Kruba passed away in 2000, the community leaders had established the community rules to maintain the community identity. People who violated the rules would be fined or banished. Furthermore, it was found that the factors influencing the preservation of ethnic identity included the people’s respect for the community leaders, kinship structures, and a trend in cultural tourism.