Provincial Hero Worship Incantations: A Study of Folk Beliefs and Cultural Functions of Thais
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Abstract
Background and Objectives: The provincial hero worship incantation is a newly emergent literary form that has developed within the past three decades. Characterized by the use of literary language imbued with sacred connotations, it is composed either in Pali, employing formal grammatical structures, or culturally adapted forms within the Thai tradition, including refined Thai verse. The study of such incantations illuminates prevailing belief systems and the cultural roles of Thais. This research aims to analyze provincial hero worship incantations in relation to belief systems and to analyze the roles and functions of provincial hero worship incantations.
Methods: This study employs folkloristic fieldwork methods, including photographic documentation of provincial hero worship plaques and interviews with ritual practitioners responsible for the annual commemoration ceremonies. Data were collected during the period 2023–2025.
Results: The texts display three main structures: 1) invocation of the Triple Gem or other sacred entities, 2) summoning of the heroes’ spirits and praise of heroic deeds, and 3) the offering of ritual items and the seeking of blessings. In the analysis of the relationship between language and ritual as manifested in provincial hero worship incantations, three types of relationships were identified: 1) the connection between Thai national history and provincial heroes, 2) the interaction between supernatural power and humans, and 3) the functional of sacred elements in binding communities. Functionally, the incantations serve both psychological and social purposes. The continued existence of provincial hero worship incantations is attributed to the cultivation of local identity and the cultural value of symbolic kinship affiliation in Thai culture.
Application of this study: This research supports efforts to inscribe provincial hero worship practices as intangible cultural heritage under the domains of social practices, rituals, customs, and festivals. The analysis of provincial hero worship incantations and the ritual functions associated with belief systems may help to reflect shifts in worship practices, revealing a transition from community-based traditions to contexts in which governmental agencies play an increasingly significant role.
Conclusions: The analysis of provincial hero worship incantations enhances understanding of Thai belief systems and their cultural functions, as well as the factors underpinning their continuity. This study serves as a reflection of the forms and characteristics of beliefs concerning supernatural power, which constitute a deeply rooted belief culture in Thai society, with Buddhism functioning as an outer framework that envelops and shapes these beliefs.
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