Vessantara Jataka: The Sacred Literature in the Perception and Cultural Construction of Pakse People, Champasak Province, Lao People's Democratic Republic

Abstract

The research article aims at 1) studying the perception of Vessantara Jakata of Pakse people, Champasak Province, Lao People's Democratic Republic and 2) studying Vessantara Jakata and the cultural construction of Pakse people, Champasak Province, Lao People's Democratic Republic by using the perspectives of folklore and sociology as a framework for analysis. The study applied a qualitative research and the interpretation from documents and field data. The results of the study show that Vessantara Jakata has been existed and passed down since the past until at present. The people of Pakse perceive Vessantara Jakata through literature, tradition, rituals, as well as folk art like murals (Hoop Tam) and Pha Pawet. Such cultural texts are influenced by Vessantara Jakata, pointing out the role and interaction between literature and community as the sacred literature standing with the community. As for cultural construction, the study found that Vessantara Jakata has various cultural constructions e.g., the construction of sacredness through literary texts, the inscription of Vessantara Jakata in palm leaves, the insertion of Pali stanzas, and the inheritance of palm lead inscriptions. In addition, there is also the cultural construction in terms of an agricultural community with an implication on creating fertility in the cultivation areas for people in the community to make a living. Including, the construction of the community power and social networks. The study of Vessantara Jakata is, therefore, the reflection of the folklore perspective that does not focus only on the literary texts but also on the contexts that are related to Vessantara Jakata.