The Objective and Content of Lullabies: A Cross-Subcultural Study in Thailand

Abstract

            The objectives of research study titled “The Objective and Content of Lullabies: A Cross-Subcultural Study in Thailand” were:  1) to synthesize major goal of lullabies in the North, Central, Northeast, and South Regions of Thailand, 2) to synthesize content of lullabies in the North, Central, Northeast, and South Regions of Thailand, 3) to compare lullabies in the North, Central, Northeast, and South Regions of Thailand, 4) to study components of lullabies in the North, Central, Northeast or Esan, and South Regions of Thailand affecting children’s development, and 5) to study components of lullabies in the North, Central, Esan, and South Regions of Thailand affecting children’s behavior modification.  This research was Qualitative Research. 

            The research findings were as follows:

1. The lullaby was a local culture reflecting local people’s belief and value, aimed to lull or sooth their children for being joyful, calm, warm, and safe.  So, children would sleep quickly.


2. The content of lullaby reflected social situation, custom, tradition, and culture, livelihood, belief, value, and occupation characteristic of people in society of each region. 


3. The lullaby was villagers’ literature aimed to sooth their children.  Every region was composed of different pattern, content, lyric, and melody being unique in one’s region differently.


4. The component of lullaby was able to sooth children for being warm as well as inculcated both of culture and ethic being hidden in lullaby by using simple language and content expressing one’s concern.  Consequently, children would have soft and tender mind as well as cheerful and gentle mood based on both of tender melody and lyric like talking with them while sleeping.


5. The lullaby in the North, Central, Esan, and South Region affected children’s behavior modification since they could hear and know they have someone living nearby throughout the time.  So, they would feel warm and safe without being frightened or crying.  Being awakened, Being awakened, they would be joyful without being tempered.  As a result, lullaby would be able to stimulate children’s development in learning.  In the meanwhile, children’s emotional development could be helpful in their physical development, intellectual development, and social development.  Since the lullaby was a media for creating both of relationship between singer and listener and family warmness, and reflecting social situation as well as livelihood of people in the locality through lullaby.