“RAM MON” AND IDENTITY OF THE CREATIVE CULTURAL DANCE POSTURE IN THE THAI MON COMMUNITY, BAN PHRA PHLOENG, NAKHON RATCHASIMA

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to study local dance movements of “Ram Mon” in Ban Phra Phloeng Village, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, leading to the creation of a new dance movement through the crafting of dance postures related to local cultures. This qualitative research methods employed 9 specified samples, focusing on structured in-depth interviews, participatory and non-participatory observations. Data were collected and analyzed using the analytic induction method emphasizing interpretation. The results of this research revealed that 1) Ram Mon is a folk dance performed during Songkran traditions, annual merit-making for new year’s ceremonies, and offerings to Phrakhru Thaksinraman (Luang Pu Chim) without props or specialized terminology for dance performance, 2) dance postures in Ram Mon involve the use of the hands, arms, head, body, and feet, following the directions of body postures, guided by rhythm tone, and 3) the dance identity of Ram Mon and the cultural architecture, and ancient herbal plants were used as art to create cultural dance postures based on the style of dance by comparing the roots of the dance, namely dancing directions, feet, and hands, consisting of 12 dance postures. These consist of four postures called “Thawai Phrakhru Thaksinraman (Luang Pu Chim) Dance”, four postures for “Mon Buangsuang Dance”, “Hong Dance”, “San Pu Chim Dance”, “Sama Dance”, and “ThaowanPriang Dance”, which is the outstanding point that arises from the simplicity combined with the unique culture of the Mon people since the past.