A Revival of Collective Memories on Sawbwa in Shan State of Tai Yai in the Early 21st Century
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Abstract
The research article aimed at studying a revival of collective memories on Sawbwa (prince or hereditary ruler) in Shan State of Tai Yai in Myanmar in the early 21st century. This was a qualitative research by collecting the data from documents, observation, and interview with involved people in Hsipaw township, Shan State, Myanmar. The interview with key informants was conducted by means of a purposive sampling with specific characteristics according to the research objectives which consisted of 3 abbots of Tai Yai temple, 2 relatives of Sawbwa, 3 members of Tai Yai Education and Culture Association, 3 scholars and teachers of Shan language, and 2 Tai Yai politicians. The acquired data were summarized in a systematic descriptive manner according to the studied issues. From the study, it was found as follows: 1) The opening-up policy of the Government of Myanmar has led to the easing measures of media and publications, which were the traditional media, allowing Tai Yai people to receive news openly and freely. In addition, the liberalization of telecommunications had made modern media to influence the perception of Tai Yai people rapidly, especially online sources such as Facebook. 2) The Tai Yai upper class in the community consisted of relatives of Sawbwa, Buddhist monks, Tai Yai scholars, local scholars, and Tai Yai politicians were a group of people who played a role in reviving the collective memories on Sawbwa, which could be seen from the opening of the areas of memories related to Sawbwa in Shan State, namely Sawbwa hall, Tai Yai temples, Sawbwa monuments, and Tai Yai spirit houses and shrines. In this regard, both traditional and modern media were the tools to revive the collective memories on Sawbwa in Shan State of Tai Yai in the early 21st century.
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