Fon Saeng Raek Ban Sa Som: Creative Innovation in Folk Dance Performance for Cultural Tourism Promotion of Ban Sa Som, Khong Chiam District, Ubon Ratchathani Province

Abstract

This research article aims to 1) study the cultural capital of the Ban Sa Som Community, Khong Chiam District, Ubon Ratchathani Province, 2) to create innovative folk dance unique to the community, and 3) to transfer the knowledge of “Fon Saeng Raek Ban Sa Som” the creative folk Dance to be the uniqueness of the community to promote cultural tourism. This qualitative research is divided into five stages as follows. Stage 1: Relevant documents and research are studied. Stage 2: Data on the community's cultural capital are collected through focus group discussions, and data on local folk dance are collected through interviews using purposive and snowball sampling. Stage 3: The creative dance performance is designed. Stage 4: The performance is evaluated by experts. Stage 5: The knowledge is transferred to the community.

The research findings indicate that 1) the cultural capital of Ban Sa Som, Khong Chiam District, Ubon Ratchathani Province, originates from the inheritance of traditions and beliefs from ancestors, as well as becomes more deeply rooted following the community’s relocation and settlement in Ban Sa Som. The prominent cultural capital includes the way of life of the villagers with the forest and the weaving of Kaab Bua Saeng Raek fabric. Additionally, the village is a cultural tourism destination known as the Saeng Raek Ban Sa Som tourism community. 2) The folk dance, Fon Saeng Raek Ban Sa Som (The Dance of the First Light of Ban Sa Som), was created with six design and creative components as follows. (1) The concept of the performance is based on the community's cultural capital, unique tourism aspects, and distinctive natural features. (2) The performance style is a traditional dance with Northeastern folk music that the lyrics describing the community's identity. (3) For the music and instruments, the melody, "Saeng Raek Ban Sa Som," is newly composed and blended with the traditional ‘toey’ rhythm. The lyrics describe the community's way of life, tourist attractions, and the community’s motto. (4) ‘Pha thung’ and ‘pha sabai’ (sarong and shawl) with the Saeng Raek pattern, woven by the community and decorated with jasmine flowers, are used for the costume and accessories. (5) For the choreography and row formation, the dance moves are designed using principles of Thai classical dance according to the lyrics, Northeastern folk dance moves, and movements reflecting natural gestures. (6) The performance is used to welcome tourists and for various occasions. For the knowledge transfer of the creative dance "Fon Saeng Raek Ban Sa Som" to training participants, based on the analysis of three aspects, it was found that the participants have the knowledge and understanding of the creation of the folk dance. They are able to perform the "Fon Saeng Raek Ban Sa Som" to welcome tourists. The community has also developed a sense of pride in its own culture, and the knowledge can be inherited as a unique identity of the community, leading to the promotion of cultural tourism through community participation.