Sorn Khwan: The Soul Retrieval Ceremony in Nong-Waeng Community, Ban Phue District, Udon Thani Province

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the composition and the practice of Sorn Khwan and to analyze the roles of the ceremony having an influence on the way of life of the residents in Nong-Waeng community, Ban Phue district, Udon Thani, Thailand. The Folklore methodology was applied to the fieldwork. The collected data were analyzed and presented by using the “structural–functionalism” and descriptive analysis.

The results of the study revealed that Sorn Khwan in Nong-Waeng community, Ban Phue district, Udon Thani, Thailand was considered as a cultural heritage in both the composition and the procedures of the ceremony. The three stages of the procedure of the ceremony; the preparation, the process and the end of the ceremony had shown the relation to supernatural power in accordance with the belief of the folks. Besides, Sorn Khwan also played a crucial role on the way of life in the community from the private to the community. It has been regarded as the supportive phenomena for the community till the present time.