Lifeworld and Cultural Identity Negotiating: An Interpretive Phenomenological Study of Naga Belief among Scientific Backgrounds in Nakhon Phanom Province

Abstract

This research article aims to: 1) understand real-life experiences and meaning-making regarding the belief in Phaya Naga; 2) interpret strategic communication experiences and beliefs concerning Phaya Naga within the context of social and professional relationships; and 3) explain the coexistence of scientific reasoning and the belief in Phaya Naga through strategic communication and cultural identity negotiation within the lifeworld of professionals or individuals with a scientific background in Nakhon Phanom province. This study employed a qualitative research design based on an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) approach. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with seven purposively selected key informants, comprising physicians, medical personnel, architects, businesspersons, tourism entrepreneurs, and local politicians. A semi-structured in-depth interview guide was utilized as the research instrument, and the data were analyzed following the IPA framework. The research findings reveal the following: 1) Meaning-making through real-life experiences in a spatial context: The informants construct the meaning of Phaya Naga through direct experiences and the local cultural roots of Nakhon Phanom, rather than merely treating it as folklore or empirical facts. 2) Strategic communication and identity negotiation: The informants employ communication strategies to compartmentalize the disclosure of their beliefs based on professional and personal contexts. They adapt their language to maintain both their professional identities and cultural beliefs simultaneously. 3) Coexistence of knowledge systems and psychological anchoring: The informants alternate between scientific explanatory frameworks and cultural beliefs through the mechanism of cognitive polyphasia. They utilize belief as a psychological anchor to alleviate existential tension arising from professional uncertainties. This research indicates that the coexistence of scientific reasoning and cultural belief is not a conflict awaiting resolution, but rather a normal condition of the lifeworld in contemporary society. The communication of beliefs by individuals with a scientific background reflects a form of social intelligence that should be regarded as a life-balancing skill. Furthermore, the findings demonstrate that belief functions not merely as personal faith, but as a psychological resource that helps individuals with scientific backgrounds cope with uncertainty, maintain a balance between their professional roles and cultural identities, and allow their beliefs to meaningfully coexist alongside scientific reasoning.