Even though it was still dark, there was a bustle of activity happening by the time we got there.A constant stream of ladies deposited packets of sticky rice in offering bowls.Many people were walking around the stupa and pouring water on figurines shaped in the form of demi-gods, tigers, goats, and dogs.Wads of sticky rice were placed near the statuettes as well (see photo). Others were lighting candles and setting them at the base of the stupa.A light cacophony of prayers could be heard as my neighbors made there way around the shrine.
My family just moved to a new location about 60 miles from our old place in Northern Thailand.We are now in a Lue village that has a similar dialect to the one we were studying before.The new village has about two hundred homes and is located near a major river.We do live in a flood plain and the neighbors keep pointing out five foot high flood lines from a deluge that came through four years ago.Yikes!
I asked a couple, “Suppose your daughter wanted to marry a Thai man. How would you feel about that?” Their answer helped shed light on whether they see themselves as culturally distinct from the mainstream population. If they said, “It would be her choice to marry whoever she wishes,” then that might be a clue that the culture is shifting to the prevailing customs and away from their own (usually this was the answer given).
On the other hand, if the parents had answered, “She should only marry a Moklen man,” that might be a clue that they still uphold different values than the popular view.
This last season of assessments has taken me to west coast of Thailand on its southern isthmus. Along with a couple of friends, I hopped on a long tail boat (see photo) and went to a few little islands just off the coast to seek out one of the three Sea Gypsy people groups-the Moken (roughly pronounced maw-can). One particular trip was a night excursion between two island villages.
This week I’m doing a survey with the Eastern Bruu people group in N.E. Thailand in an area known as the Korat Plateau. I’ll going to an area that is only a few hours from the Laos border. I’ve visited four villages already and have another four to go. Most of my time is spent with the village leaders, shop owners, and farmers.
I don’t speak or comprehend E. Bruu. You might be wondering, “How you can tell whether or not the people are using the local dialect?”
