Folklore of Funeral Practices in the Sadawa Community, Pattani Province: Functional Structures and Traditional Wisdom in Upholding Muslim Society

Abstract

This research aimed to analyze the functional structures of funeral practice folklore and to examine the traditional wisdom of sustaining Muslim social embedded in the funeral practices of the Sadawa community, Pattani Province. The researcher employed a qualitative research methodology, collecting field data through participant observation, interviews, and focus group discussions with 30 key informants, supplemented by relevant documentary research. The collected data were subsequently analyzed in accordance with the research objectives within the established conceptual framework. The findings revealed that the funeral practice folklore of the Sadawa Community encompasses three manifest functions: 1) hygienic body management, 2) seeking rewards and mercy from Allah, and 3) notifying community members of a death. Three latent functions were identified: 1) constructing positive memories of the deceased, 2) strengthening kinship relations, and 3) fostering community solidarity. Regarding the traditional wisdom of sustaining Muslim society, four distinct forms were identified: 1) moral regulation through Islamic principles;
2) collective assembly for the restoration of social equilibrium; 3) the preservation of local Muslim cultural heritage; and 4) the cultivation of pride in local cultural identity. The research findings can be applied to the design and development of national cultural policies, particularly in addressing social challenges through local folklore, and serve as a cultural documentation of the Sadawa people for conservation-oriented scholarship.