Abstract:
This research is phenomenological qualitative research were to 1) study the
ritual format of Mua Ngoy, 2) study the recipe for Mua Ngoy ceremony, and 3) study
the ritual format towards the development of food tables in Mua Ngoy ceremony. This
research was conducted through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with
experts, cooks, and senior experts who live in Mueang District, Kathu District, and
Thalang District, Phuket Province, with a total of 45 persons by using a purposive
sampling method. The research tools were an unstructured in-depth interview, and
suitability and possibility assessment form of ritual food tray in Mua Ngoy. The data
were collected via in-depth interview, focus group discussions, and thematic analysis
for checking data reliability by using data triangulation.
The research result showed that 1) Mua Ngoy was the Chinese ritual for a babys
one-month celebration which was influenced by the Chinese beliefs who immigrated
to settle in Phuket and has been continued until the present. In the past, this ritual
was only reserved for sons, but later it was changed to celebrate daughters as well
2) There are 4 types of food in Mua Ngoy ceremony called Eew Pueng, made from
glutinous rice stir-fried with oil and dried shrimp, Ang Ku, a red dessert in a turtleshaped
mold, Ang Tan, hard-boiled eggs dyed with red food coloring, and Khanom
Huad Koy, a pink fluffy dessert. In the process of food and offerings preparation, all
family members were responsible for arranging food in a container called Sia Nha.
Then, their relatives were given and then gave souvenirs in return. The inheritance of
Mua Ngoy ritual was inherited in the Chinese family from generation to generation, but
nowadays it was rarely to be seen in the community, and 3) the overall suitability of
the ritual food table arrangement was at the highest level. It was recommended that
the ritual should be continued and applied as a product for tourism.