Study for an Approach to Using Ghost Belief as Cultural Capital to Develop Isan Local Communities
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Abstract
“Isan” a unique region in north-east Thailand demonstrates a strong belief in the power of ghosts and spirits. This belief could potentially be embraced to become embodied cultural capital for local communities. This research surveys the current status of Isan ghost belief through the examination of local community rituals in the Tao Ngoi sub-district where 20 rituals have been continuously organising, aiming to discover a direction for the use of ghost belief as cultural capital to develop the economic and cultural aspects of local communities. To approach an overall understanding, a contextual survey, in-depth interviews, and participatory observation are used. Research results show; 1) Isan ghost belief resides deeply in its local people’s way of living and is ultimately understood as valuable embodied cultural capital for Isan. This belief appears in two forms; “Tangible and Intangible” and is situated at 3 levels namely; Individual level; where rituals are arranged individually according to personal purposes, Community level; where ghost rituals and ghost-religious related rituals are collectively arranged by local people with a common purpose and Regional level; where rituals are communally-arranged between community. Individual and community level rituals (non-religious related) possess the greatest potential for development as local cultural capital having retained their authenticity, whilst at Regional level less so, due to their transformation from external influences, 2) Isan ghost belief is comprised of 2 components; “Purpose” and “Form”, 3) The major factors affecting a decline in ghost-belief include connectivity to the urban and the expansion of Buddhist religion, 4) A three-fold community classification based on ghost belief explicitly; “Untransformed Community”, “Transforming Community, and “Transformed Community”. The harnessing of ghost belief as cultural capital - and its use in the development of local communities - needs to be carried-out according to these three different community types; 4.1) The “Untransformed Community; should focus on cultivation of ghost belief for future generations by developing a stronger awareness of its cultural heritage amongst its own people. Individual and Community level rituals could be used to convey local cultural essence to anyone seeking a deeper authentic experience through community activities and services, 4.2) “Transforming Community”; its focus should be on ritual at the Individual and Community level, developing continuity between the authentic local and modern urban. Here, Community level rituals, set up by local people could allow outsiders to become ritual participants, touched by involvement with locals through ‘homestays’ where tourists might experience ghosts in an entirely more intimate way, 4.3) “Transformed Community” should focus on ghost belief at a Regional level through festivals for outsiders to increase cultural value, 5) There are no proper locations for ghost rituals within the 4 communities. A specific place as a centre for ghost belief representation could act as a potential landmark for ghost belief helping it to take root. Thus, with an appropriate method, strategy and mechanism it becomes possible to utilize ghost belief as a cultural capital to develop economy community, whilst still preserving its inherent authenticity.
Keywords: Isan Local Community Development, Embodied Cultural Capital, Level of Ghost and Spirit Belief, Community Classification
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