Knowledge Awareness and inheritance Music Wisdom of Ethnic Groups in Chiang Rai province

Abstract

Chiang Rai is a province of the diversity of ethnic groups. However, the current social changes are affecting their awareness and wisdom inheritance procedures that is passed on to younger generations. This study was initiated to study and synthesis the music wisdom of 17 ethnic groups in Chiang Rai Province. It aimed to study the guidelines of cultural awareness building and model of music inheritance procedures to youth for the current situation. Ethnomusicology and community participation approaches were used for this research study.

In summary, the analysis of music wisdom of ethnic groups in Chiang Rai Province included 17 ethnic groups. Each ethnic group has their own special music instruments. Those music instruments were classified according to types of music, roles of music, playing, and vocal songs singing with music instruments in their dialects. They are played together in traditional activities in their own communities. In terms of awareness building of ethnic music culture for youth in their communities, they should have appropriated inheritance procedures that suit to the current situations and environments. Also, they should: 1) promote cultural identity building through the basic factors related to way of life; 2) promote economic liquidity in the communities; 3) promote the processes of researching in cultural music in the communities; and 4) support the building of cultural learning centers in the communities. For the inheritance procedures of ethnic wisdom of music that appropriate to the current situations, findings showed that instructors should first understand the meanings of the songs before utilizing the narrative teaching methods. They should also provide explanations to ensure understanding of vocal sounds setting and physical of music instruments. Furthermore, they should have musical notes or documents to help youth understand the music, facilitate sound recognition, and reviewing.