Lifestyles and Functions of Karen Folktales from Ban Pongnamron, Serm-Ngam District, Lampang Province

Abstract

This research aimed at analyzing lifestyles appeared in Karen folktales and folklore functions of Karen folktales in Ban Pongnamron, Serm-ngam district, Lampang province. The result found that the lifestyles seen from Karen folktales in Ban Pongnamron divided into 4 types were 1. Beliefs consisted of 7 beliefs about original, religious, non-human, magic thing, human birth, fate, and guesstimate. 2. Values consisted of 5 types about attempt, acumen, bravery, gratitude, and obedience. 3. Career found cultivation, cattle breeding, hunter-gatherer, and weaving. 4. Family found that it was a single family, and the relationship was full of love and understanding. Function of Karen folktales in Ban Pongnamron divided into 3 types. Firstly, function of explaining the origin and identity of community and rites having 2 dimensions were to explain the origin and identity of community and to explain the rites. Secondly, function of education, socialization, and social standardization having 2 dimensions were to tell the story of region, to instruct the social clues, to plant values and to standardize social habits. Thirdly, function of being solution for social pressure grievance. This was a venting from social regulations.