Folk Media as a Social Capital Enhancing the Creative Area for Children and Youths

Abstract

          The objectives of the research were: 1) to compile oral folk media as a social capital of Ban Gud Kaen, Nongno Sub-district, Muang District, Mahasarakham Province; 2) to study the methods of transmitting the oral folk media of the people of Ban Gud Kaen, Nongno Sub-district, Muang District, Mahasarakham Province; and 3) to study the social capital value of the oral folk media on enhancing the creative area for children and youths. The research employed the qualitative research methodology. The research setting is Ban Gud Kaen Village No. 2 and Village No. 6, Nongno Sub-district, Muang District, Mahasarakham Province. The informants were community leaders, ceremonial leaders, village learned persons, parents, children and youths, 30 people altogether. The tools consisted of 1) an interview form, 2) a question guideline for focus group discussion and a record of the focus group discussion, 3) a questionnaire, and 4) a participatory and non-participatory observation form.

The results are as follows:

1. The study and compilation of the folk media revealed that 13 types of oral folk media as social capital were known, but only 8 types have been handed down to the present time.
2. The transmission of the oral folk media of the people of Ban Gud Kaen employed 6 types of social capital. The receivers were both males and females.
3. Regarding the social capital value of the oral folk media, it was found that: 1) the folk media served as wisdom treasures; 2) the folk media gave entertainment; 3) the folk media promoted thinking and imagination; and 4) the people of Ban Gud Kaen were proud of their locality.