The Belief and Ritual for Mental Under COVIND-19 Situation of Ethnic Group in Thailand- Myanmar Border Area of Mae Hong Son Province

Abstract

          Under the crisis of the Coronaviruses 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic. Physical measures to prevent spread and infection were born. Meanwhile, people are seeking spiritual refuge together. The purpose of this article to study belief and ritual for mental under COVIND-19 situation of ethnic group in Thailand- Myanmar border area of Mae Hong Son province. Qualitative research methods were used in the study. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with the target group of the Tai-Yai ethnic group, and Kaya ethnic group, numbering 20 people from 4 communities located near the Thai-Myanmar border area, Mae Hong Son Province. Data analysis used content analysis.
         The results found that COVID-19 outbreak has created fear anxiety about contracting a disease can lead to sudden death. Ethnic group in border communities perform rituals according to ancient beliefs. Tai Yai ethnic group performs the Wan Pa Liek ceremony and feeds the spirit of the city governor as for ethnic groups the Kaya performed the chicken bone staking ceremony and planted thethi poles. The beliefs and rituals of both ethnic groups serve as a spiritual anchor help comfort people in the community, society relaxes from stress, as well as providing moral support in fighting the COVID-19 outbreak, and it is one way of treatment that is based on the idea of medical pluralism, which is health care under belief, local rituals, and culture