Developing Local Dance to Promote Ethnic Group Identity in Kanchanburi for the Thai Tourism Industry

Abstract

This study aimed 1) to investigate the current performance situation, problems, and recommendations for developing local performances in Kanchanaburi Province as examples of community identity; and 2) to promote community potential in awareness and appreciation of local performances to support sustainable community tourism. This project studied in three villages in Kanchanaburi Province: Huai Pak Kok village in Thong Pha Phum District, Plai Na Suan village in Si Sawat District and Viacadi village in Sangkhlaburi District. Data was collected in a community forum from groups of 50 community entrepreneurs and local artists per village, for a total of 150 samples. In addition, focus groups were used to investigate performance problems and discover indigenous identity through the community participation process. The research also included practical training to develop dancing skills among local performers as well as organizational abilities for giving tourist performances. Results were that local dances in three villages expressed indigenous identity by different ethnic groups. Currently, all of these were difficult to find, with knowledge of dance skills still limited to old artists insofar as the dance are no longer related to traditional lifestyles. These findings suggest that developmentally, there should be systematic promotion of a continuity of dance tradition among young people, including dance skills training and creating local dance forms to allowing community young people to participate in inventing show that appeal more to their taste and interests, allowing them to reclaim the dance culture and identify it as their own.