Cultural Ecology and Community Resource Management in Songkhwaepattana village, Maeyao Municipality Chiangrai province

Abstract

This research aimed to study community history, way of life, identity of wisdoms, and cultural ecology for analyzing factors which influenced living and inheriting of culture, and drawing suggested conservation of the cultural identity of the Akha ethnic group in Songkhwaepattana Village, Maeyao Municipality, Chiang Rai Province. The research was conducted by using the qualitative research method. The data was collected by structural interviews of religious leader, guru, and people living in Songkhwaepattana Village for totally 20 key informants, participatory and non-participatory observation, and group discussions.

The findings of the study revealed that Songkaewpattana Village’s livelihood depended on the biological diversity of the forest. Their main occupations related to the resources nearby. Their identity of wisdoms involved with three aspects which were human and human, human and natural resources, and human and supernatural things, obviously seen by annual rite. In regard to the identity of cultural ecology, there were some conservation activities supported by the government of the Maeyao Community. During “Sung-Shu-Lo”, the main activity of the village, the people reforest together regardless of religion. Moreover, there was “I-sol-Du-Du”, the upstream spirit and the holy water well worship; it was for cleaning the holy water well and the religious leader to request for apologies. This rite continues to be carried out, even though some community members were Christian.

Factors influenced living and inheriting of culture were changes from supernatural believed to Christianity, and also complexity and diversity of the rites. Moreover, economic force that was not allowed them to live, development of the government sector was not concordant with living of community cultural identity and pushed the community to adjust their social structure and culture with activities of the government sector rather than kept their original cultural roots. In addition, urbanization was attracting youths out of the community, so that cultural identity of the Akha ethnic group was less living and inheriting. Understanding of community situation by people living in the community and the government sector would be an appropriated approach for solving the community challenges.