WAI KRU CEREMONY OF LANNA MUSIC: MEANING AND VALUE IN PRESENT DAY OF CHIANG MAI SOCIETY

Abstract

This qualitative research in Ethnomusicology aims to study the beliefs, rituals, practices, and cultural reflections of the Lanna Wai Kru Ceremony in contemporary Chiang Mai society. The results found that the value of Lanna music Wai Kru ceremony is considered as a rite of solidarity and passage. Furthermore, Wai Kru Ceremony of Lanna Music is also a part of the knowledge transfer through its rituals. Kan Tang or spirit bowl has meaning in terms of god (spirit) and things consumed in the people’s daily life. The ritual reflects the 4 levels of belief; individualistic cults, shamanistic cults, communal cults, and ecclesiastical cults. The ceremonial process shows the relationship between folk spirits, Buddhism and Brahmanism. The social and cultural changes causing local popularity led to the birth of a “New Folk” culture for “Create a new meaning” of the Lanna music culture. It is not “folk music”, but a music that has developed and has a long history. The Wai Kru Ceremony for Lanna Music is changing from the “simple” folk style to the “new folk”, which started in 2520 B.E. and became more prominent in 2530 B.E.