1. Thai Song Dam Identity: Cultural Construction and Its Maintenance
The 11th International Conference on Thai Studies
26-28 July 2010
Thai Song Dam Identity: Cultural Construction and Its Maintenance
Narong Ardsmiti
Research Institute for Languages and Cultures of Asia

2. Objectives
To explain how Thai Song Dam’s identities have been constructed and how Thai Song Dam people make use their culture for negotiating with dominant culture

3. Primary Statement Identity formation and maintenance:
Ethnic identity is maintained through the practice of ancestral worship and continued belief in ancestral spirit.
Their identities are not only to inform others to know who they are; instead, they become strategies of self-presentation to negotiate ethnic identity with dominant cultures.

4. Initial Finding
2 main factors that have contributed to strong ethnic identity maintenance among the Thai Song Dam:
In-group Marriage
Strict adherence to spiritual ritual performances
Building ethnic collectivity through Thai Song Dam Day

5. In-group Marriage Restricted mobility In-group Marriage
Forced to stay within contained areas
In-group Marriage
Cultural Attitude
Strong cultural transmission
Negative attitudes against other groups

6. Ritual and Transmission
Belief in Spirits
“If we propitiate ancestral spirits, they would bring good luck to us.”
Thai Song Dam observes a number of spiritual rituals. Each ritual requires specific practices
Sean Rean - grand ritual conducted every 3-4
years
Pa Tong food offering to the spirits every 5-10 days
Sean Tan Ban Nor - traditional healing by invoking spirits
Sean Ton - merit making ceremony to bring good fortune to oneself
etc.

7. Ritual and Transmission Analysis
All Thai Song Dam’s Rituals have purposes for group members
Seeking comfort and security
To bring good luck, to protect against evil spirits and misfortunes
Paying respect to ancestors
Valorization of respect for elders
Re-enforcing social structure
Who you are/ Whose status you are (social hierarchy and roles)
To get together among relative descents
Tight social relationships
Require continued observers to carry on practices

8. New Cultural Invention
Thai Song Dam Day (Since 1957)
Coin a new word “Thai Song Dam”
Initial objectives
Organizing various ceremonies in one place
Present “Thai Song Dam” cultures to government officials and the public
Express group unity

9. New Cultural Invention
Thai Song Dam Day (in the present)
Locating the Thai Song Dam in Thai national imaginary
Proud to be Thai under the Thai monarch

10. New Cultural Invention
Networking among co-ethnics in different places
Creating space for
ethnic identity expression

11. New Cultural Invention
Negotiating ethnic identity within dominant culture
in everyday life
at the festival

12. Initial Conclusion In the past 2 main factors Nowadays
In-group marriage
Continue practicing ritual performances
Nowadays
Create a Thai Song Dam Day

13. Initial Conclusion Thai Song Dam Day Negotiate ethnic identity
Create self
esteem as
Thai equal to
others
Create network
among co-ethnics
Create social space
Negotiate ethnic identity
with dominant culture

14. Thai Song Dam Identity: Cultural Construction and Its Maintenance
Thank You