Mana Chuaichoo. ตัวตนและการธำรงความเป็นพราหมณ์นครศรีธรรมราช. ปริญญาโท(สาขาวิชาวัฒนธรรม). WALAILAK UNIVERSITY. CENTER FOR LIBRARY RESOURCES AND EDUCATIONAL MEDIA. : มหาวิทยาลัยวลัยลักษณ์, 2008-09-08.
ตัวตนและการธำรงความเป็นพราหมณ์นครศรีธรรมราช
Self and maintenance of Nakhon Si Thammarat Brahmins
Abstract:
By using qualitative research methods, this thesisSelf and Maintenance of Nakhon Si Thammarat Brahminshas two objectives: 1) to describe Nakhon Si Thammarat Brahmanic self in the processes of social interactions with other social groups; and 2) to study the learning process of Brahmanic self maintenance.
The research findings are : the self of Brahmanic group in Nakhon Si Thammarat was formulated through the interactive process of self as expressed by Brahmins themselves and Brahminic self as expected and perceive by other social groups. Brahmanic expressed self is the self represented by Brahmins themselves and represented as follows: 1) those who have Brahmanic blood through mainly patrilineal descent or matrilineal descent in some cases; 2) those who had maintained Brahmanic rituals by repeated practicing and learning; and 3) those who had conducted as traditional Brahmins in terms of dressing eating and so on. In ethnic terms, Nakhon Si Thammarat Brahmins think that they are of the Thai race and nationality, not Indian as perceived and practiced by their forefathers. In terms of the religion, Nakhon Si Thammarat Brahmins are Buddhists who believe in Brahmanic Gods, holy spirits, and Krumoa (the ritual spirit of the Brahmin clan).
The Brahminic self as expected by other social groups can be described as follows : Brahmins are those who can communicate with holy spirits, conduct holy rituals, make a good fortune, prevent bad luck, and eliminate evil. Brahmins have also been expected to be those being Brahmins by blood and having appropriate behavior.
Effected by the contemporary process of economic and social changes in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Brahmins have to modify some of their ritual and economic roles. That is, from economic pressure, Brahmins have to create a new balance between their role as a ritual medium respected by people and their income for livelihood. Then, Brahmins have to include their incomes in ritual fees and other ritual expenses, create significant ritual events, and extend their ritual space to include other rituals and events, e.g., being fortune tellers, bad luck healers, shamans, conducting Nang Kra Dan parade (a new Brahmin ritual conducted for tourism benefits), and so on. At the same time, Brahmins also modify some of their norms and practices in maintaining their Brahmanic being. That is new generations of Brahmins in Nakhon Si Thammarat are perceived as being Brahmaness without ordination (in former times, person could be true Brahmins only through being ordained), being true Brahmaness can be both through patrilineal and matrilineal descent (in former times, person could be true Brahmins only through patrilineal descent).
There are four stages of the learning process to maintain Brahmaness : 1) perceiving themselves as Brahmins by descent; 2) preparing themselves for maintaining the Brahmanic self; 3) entering the ritual passage of Brahmanic becoming; and 4) being true Brahmins by doing and practicing.