Application of Livelihood Related Local Wisdom in Mobilizing Development Towards Strengthened Community: A Case Study of Kiriwong Communuty, Lansaka District, Nakorn Sri Thammarat Province

Abstract

The study of rural livelihood should realize local contexts and socio-environmental dynamics at the community level. At the same time, it should focus on learning of community members pertaining to creative and beneficial resource utilization through local wisdom application appropriate for changing conditions. This research aims are: 1) to investigate application of local wisdom related to livelihood in Kiriwong community, Lansaka district, Nakhon Sri Thammarat province, 2) to find out community development movement towards a strengthened community, and 3) to analyze the use of local wisdom in mobilizing community development movement toward a strengthened community. The research was undertaken following the qualitative research approach in which field data collection was done by means of in-depth interview and observation. Data were analyzed through typological analysis, logical reasoning, data synthesis and data interpretation. It was found that Kiriwong community utilized local wisdom and applied through processes of producing and marketing various products, as well as organizing occupational groups within the community. As a result, livelihood related local wisdom became crucial for mobilizing community development as it formed an important instrument in creating various products to be sold to improve livelihood of community members and bring about supplementary income generating activities continuously. This was followed by the connected community-based tourism development. This change helped enhancing the development towards a strengthened community in social, economic and environmental dimensions. Challenges facing Kiriwong community was finding an appropriate way to combine local wisdom conservation together with livelihood adaptation that enable in maintaining the community strength sustainably.