Abstract:
This research aims to study economic relationship in Ta-oi ,s as pects of culture. It is an
Empirical study which is directly focuded on way of life among ta-oi tribe living in ta-oi District, Salavan Province, Lao People, s Democratic Republic. Way of life of those people has long been involved with soil, forest, irrigation, agriculture, cattle, handicraft, politics and education in order to reserve their original economic culture for a long last in society.
Field research was the main research methodology together with qualitative study by interviewing ta-oi tribemen in area of Ta-oi District, Salavan Province. Collected data was then analysed by theory of local economic system and culture. 86 sample population were selected from 3 villages where Ta-oi tribemen and nearby ethnic groups had been living, while reseacher had also stayed in those villages for 3 months.
Research results were found that Ta-oi,s context of community, environment, geographic condition and society was considered as an abundant community. Villagers have successfully produced their agriculture throughout the year. Social condition has then been in rapport and surveillance to prevent any outside enermies. Thus, collaborate cooperation among villagers has finally occurred in order to block any drugs. Way of life of Ta-oi is realized as a simple way or kinship relation because all villagers have closely known one anothers. Although Ta-oi,s traditional costumes are old-fashioned, when those people visit any cities, they particularly women would also dress silk costumes like other lao women in the country.
Ta-oi people have their own language which some words resemble to Suay (Kui) language spoken in Laos, Cambodia and Thailand. Also, they have tried to speak Lao Ianguage in order to communicate with outsiders.
Ta-oi,s way of life, culture, belief and ritual are found differently from other ethnic groups in Laos because they have been continuously socialized from their ancestor. They have still had everyday lives according to their ancestor,s morality, they are thus considered that they have had their own special indentification.
Agricultural products have still been the main income of Ta-oi villagers, though in average those incomes are low. If Ta-oi people can tighlty retain their traditional culture, they will finally exist their ways. However, there have been Ta-oi labourers migrating to work in other cities or provinces to gain their incomes.
Suggestion of this research is revealed that the Party and the Government should accelerate development of Ta-oi ethnic group as the following aspects: Education aspect, Ta-oi people should be provided a basic education according to implemented law; career aspect, the Party and the Government should support and subsidy any productive factors equally, and there should also be agricultural specialists for those villagers; cultural conservation aspect, there should bae a policy to conserve Ta-oi culture which is considered as an interesting and traditional culture; economic aspect, because of economic condition depending on nature, the Party and the Government should implement their strategy to tackle any changing condition of nature.
Recommendation for the next research is that there should be a research studying economic development as a dual track with culture conservation, and a research studying positive and negative factors of the Party and the Government targeting to assist and develop ethnic groups.