The Functions of Folklore in the University: Case study Thailand National Sports University Sukhothai campus

Abstract

This article aims to study the folklore at the university and to analyze the roles of folkloristic data at Thailand's National Sports University, Sukhothai campus. Fieldwork as a folklore methodology is applied. The researcher collected folkloristic data from staff members who have transferred it from generation to generation through teaching activities, projects, and occasional events. Functionalism theory, as well as the idea of creative folklore, were applied for analysis. The research found five forms of folkloristic data, including symbolic folklore, rituals, beliefs, modern folk songs, and folk plays or sports. There are three main roles of the folkloristic data in the university: the role of education, the role of entertainment, and the role of maintaining and conserving cultural heritage wisdom. Additionally, the university provides a space to express individual or group identities, which leads to collaboration and unity among group members. It also serves young individuals to study, exchange, transmit, contribute to, and apply folkloristic data to create its existence in contemporary cultural society.