(“Lue Ka Wo”: the Livelihood of the Pwo Karen Ethnic Group in Ban Rai Pa, Huai Khayeng Sub-district, Thong Pha Phum District, Kanchanaburi Province

Abstract

The objective of this area-based study was to investigate the livelihood of the Pwo Karen ethnic group in Ban Rai Pa village, Huai Khayeng Sub-district, Thong Pha Phum District, Kanchanaburi Province that affects food security in a cultural dimension on local resource diversity. Data of this qualitative study were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews, non-participant and participant observations. The subjects were selected using specific sampling, and the study area was Ban Rai Pa, Village No. 5, Huai Khayeng Sub-district, Thong Pha Phum District, Kanchanaburi Province.

The study found that “Lue Ka Wo” is a livelihood that teaches the ethnic group how to live reasonably, moderately and how to utilize resources in the community reasonably and in worthwhile ways. Their livelihood affects food security of Ban Rai Pa Village, Huai Khayeng Sub-district, Thong Pha Phum District, Kanchanaburi Province which is on the border between Thailand and Republic of the Union of Myanmar. Ban Rai Pa is a community where the Por Karen ethnic group has lived from the past until the present on agriculture and hunting for forest items. They adhere to a kinship system in which there is food production that lasts for year-round consumption. They have inherited local culture and wisdom and lived on community resource-based economy from generation to generation as ethnic heritage or wisdom known as “Lue Ka Wo” that maintains the existence of the Pwo Karen ethnic group amidst the present social changes.