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Manusya, Journal of Humanities

Publication Date

2017-01-01

Abstract

This paper focuses on pieces of Folk Literature investigating Isan people's conception of the myths of World Creation contained in two Folk Literatures; the Legend of 'Pu Sangasa-Ya Sangasi' and 'the Legend of Nam Tao Pung'. Traditional Ecological Knowledge is used as a conceptual framework for this study. The data gained from the study was then descriptively reported via the process of analysis. The results found that 'the Legend of Pu Sangasa-Ya Sangasi' reflects traditional ecological knowledge as a holistic thinking concept. The contents of the work explain that the world was created by the wind blowing until there was water. Water was blown until it became soil and then from soil to rocks and rocks to plants. After that, human beings and animals were created. In addition, there was 'Lord Dharma' described in the content as a sign of wind. 'Lord Dharma' created Pu Sanga Sa-Ya Sangasi as well as all the creatures of this world. Consequently, Pus Sangasa- Ya Sangasi was a representation of Nature. Isan people's traditional Ecological knowledge therefore inferred that human beings were created by Nature. Meanwhile, 'The Legend of Nam Tao Pung' is a story presenting the concept of using 'Nam Tao' as a sign which refers to female pregnancy. In the work, everything is of born and got out from Nam Tao onto the land. It means that Isan people recognize the importance in Nam Tao as the birthplace of human beings. The death of Buffaloes and cows caused Nam Tao to be born. This story tells us that Isan people believe that someone dying was not about murder but it was the beginning of a new life to be born. It also reflects the relationship between human beings and nature. In conclusion, 'the Legend of Pu Sangasa-Ya Sangasi' is a work explaining the traditional ecological knowledge of the Cosmology. On the other hand, 'Nam Tao Pung' describes the death of buffaloes as the origin of new life. 'Nam Tao' is presented in the literature work as a sign of nature where human beings were born. Therefore, 'Nam Tao Pung' becomes the sign of the 'Mother God' of Isan people.

First Page

52

Last Page

67

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