Retaining Cultural Identity of Siamese in Perlis, Malaysia

Abstract

Abstract

          This research aims to (1) to study history , cultural identity of Siamese people in Perlis State, Malaysia, (2) to explore  the cultural identity  preservation of Siamese people the state of Perlis, and (3) to study the ways of preserving the cultural identity of the Siamese people in the  Perlis  State, Malaysia. This qualitative research was conducted through data collection from documents, in-depth interviews with key informants, and focus groups and content analysis was employed to analyze.

Findings were as follows:

1) Although Siamese people in Perlis are in a society surrounded by Muslim culture and as a minority of Malaysian Plural Society, they in the community still continue to preserve their expression both in religion, belief, culture, and the use of Thai language. In the daily life, most of Siamese do farming, plantation rubber, and speaking a local southern dialect of Saiburee that is very close to an accent of Nakhon Si Thammarat and Songkhla.

          2)  In the cultural identity preservation of Siamese people in the State of Perlis, Malaysia, they still firmly preserve   Thai identity, especially the faith in Buddhism, the use of Thai language, dhamma studies, culture, heritage, amusements and important festivals.

3) For guidelines for preserving cultural identity of Siamese people  in the State of Perlis  Malaysia in preserving the cultural identity of the Siamese in which  temple is a cultural center with  a way to learn systematically Thai language focusing on the conservation of Thai local language , a management of religious education in temples,  learning Thai culture in the temple of the Siamese, setting up a strong community organization, the use of name and surname in Thai, and a marriage with the Siamese together.