Khamu Rim Kong: Marginality and Social Space Construction

Abstract

This article aims to understand the process of marginality occurred complexly among the Khamu in Wiang Kaen district, Chiang Rai including strategies to adapt and negotiate to construct a social space. The study found that the marginality of Khamu not only created by their own but also occurred under power structure which is overlapped by different agents of power such as state, other ethnic groups, economic capital, and modernity. Khamu tried to adapt and negotiate to these situations for social space construction and self protection via the avoiding to encounter with the powerful groups directly. Khamu tried to remake their ethnic identity and their cultural authenticity to be recognized in the contexts of tourism and their cultural festivals such as the Khamu traditional new year.