A Study of Rice Myth of Pgaz K’ Nyau Culture

Abstract

The objectives of this research are to study myth and beliefs about rice in Pgaz K’ Nyau culture and to understand Pgaz K’ Nyau worldviews implicit in the myth rice, using Role Theory in Folklore Studies as a theoretical framework. The scope and area of the study are Pgaz K’ Nyau rice myth in areas of Chiang Mai and Tak, Thailand. The study found five versions of the Pgaz K’ Nyau rice myth. These five versions share a theme of four key thematic characters: rice, silver, people, and birds. In these stories, rice and silver are opponents, man is in the middle, and birds play a role in resolving the conflict. Worldviews of the Pgaz K’ Nyau are implicit in these stories as follows: 1. Pgaz K’ Nyau rice legends help to foster an awareness of socio-cultural values and preserve behavioral norms in Pgaz K’ Nyau society, stressing the importance of: a) Recognizing the significance of rice, for daily sustenance, above all else. b) Expressing gratitude. c) Being generous and charitable. d) Practicing mindfulness, readiness and foresight. e) Perseverance and patience in times of hardship. f) Having a spirit of public service, working for the good of the collective, and self-sacrifice. g) Living in a sustainable manner in terms of natural resource management. 2. Pgaz K’ Nyau rice legends contain local wisdom and help maintain standards for social behavior as follows: a) Maintaining an awareness in choosing balance in the way forward, understanding that food sustainability should be of primary importance. Choosing edibles (rice) over utensils (money/silver). b) Applying wisdom at the appropriate time, occasion, and situation. c) Preserving agricultural spaces, especially land for rice farming. d) Understanding the importance of nature. While rice is natural, Money is forged, a creation of man.