Analysis of Worldviews on Animals in Lanna Proverbs

Abstract

This article aggregates and classifies animals referenced in Lanna's proverbs, examining the worldviews of the Lanna people regarding animals as depicted in these proverbs. The research utilizes data from "Lanna Proverbs" by Samorn Janjicha (2004). The results indicate that the compilation and categorization include 141 proverbs representing 34 kinds of animals. This encompasses: 1) Terrestrial animals such as deer, muntjac, squirrels, rhinoceroses, mongooses, goats, buffaloes, elephants, horses, felines, cattle, canines, tigers, and rodents; 2) Amphibians including frogs, turtles, and toads; 3) Aquatic creatures such as crabs and fish; 4) Reptiles, notably snakes; 5) Small invertebrates comprising insects like crickets, cicadas, termites, caterpillars, aphids, bees, ants, beetles, spiders, flies, and larvae; and 6) avian species, including chickens, ducks, and birds.

According to “Lanna Proverbs”, dogs are the most frequently referenced animals, with 31 instances. Consequently, 22 proverbs refer to buffaloes, 20 to fish, 19 to elephants, and 18 to insects. The study also investigates the symbolic significances of the selected animal categories, with a particular emphasis on organisms that are closely associated with the Lanna people's lifestyle, subsistence, and behavioral values. The list includes the following animals: dogs, buffaloes, fish, elephants, flies, termites, bees, cows, birds, poultry, rats, cats, snakes, mongooses, toads, larvae, and horses.

The research categorizes the perception of animals into three distinct viewpoints. Primarily, 1) Animals from Lanna proverbs play the role of both draft animals and natural animals. The inherent function of animals includes both domesticated and wild species. Buffaloes and cows are essential to the Lanna lifestyle, and utilized for agricultural and economic activities. With regard to untamed or natural animals, the Lanna people regard fish as a symbol of abundance in terms of food resources. Similar to tigers, fish also rely on nature for their survival. Additionally, tigers and snakes necessitate careful handling due to their potential threat to humans. Moreover, in order to preserve the equilibrium of the natural world, certain entities must coexist and rely on one another, while others must be antagonists. Examples encompass the mongoose and cobra, toads, and termites, along with larvae and birds. Secondly, the Lanna people perceive animals as manifestations of cultural beliefs. The Lanna people perceive elephants as majestic and powerful, frequently symbolizing sanctity and prosperity. Finally, the Lanna perspective often parallels animal behavior with human conduct. This encompasses domesticated animals such as dogs and cats, avians such as chickens, and other organisms like rats, flies, termites, bees, and horses.