Abstract:
This thesiss objective is to study Lahu Na (Black Musur) dance patterns. A case study at Danmaelamao sub district , Maesod district, Tak province during B.E. 2500 2552 aimed to study history, development, components including dancing patterns of Muser hill tribes. This research was conducted by gathering data from academic papers, observing, interviewing head of the village, ritual operating, musicians and performers, observing dancing for rituals, dancing for welcoming visitors, and self- practices. The findings revealed that Musurs dancing patterns are called Jakue dancing. In Musur language, the word Jakue means dancing. The dancing is performed in having sacrifices to sacred items for Musur people such as demons and a Guesa god. The dance is created by belief and rituals in Musur people ways of living. The dance plays important roles in having any kinds of ceremonies such as a New Year celebration related to celebrating a new year time, having new rice ceremony which is related to agriculture, and reassuring spirit ritual in curing sicknesses that is about healing sicknesses. In the present, due to societies have been changing, education becoming an important factor in their ways of living caused Musur people adopting art of the dancing in any kinds of ceremonies to be dancing for welcoming visitors. The dance for holding ceremonies is performed at Jakueku yard. The welcoming dance is showed at a large public ground in the village. All performers have to wear Musur costumes. Dancings character is to be harmonious with songs rhythm by five pieces of musical instruments such as reed mouth organs that comes in three sizes; large, medium, and small, a Sueng, and Khluy (a Thai organ). For dancing in welcoming visitors, four kinds of musical instruments mentioned before are used excluding a large mouth organ. In ritual dancing, in offering sacrifices for having good lucks and completing in holding ceremonies, there are holy items such as candle wax, popped rice, paddy, silver wears, dried tea leaves, tobaccos, holy thread, and foods. When dancing, male and female performers let heads move naturally and freely. Their body movement consists of two types; straight body movement and leaned body movement. There are 2 types for hand movement such as direct hand to hand touching type and hand to clothe touching type. Leg movement consists of three types such as straight-standing type, lifted-one leg type, and swayed-one leg type. An outstanding feature of dancing patterns is foot movements rhythm which is significant. To be in harmony, dancing is leaded by musicians. In one round dancing, only one musical instrument is played. Performing ritual dancing needs to be done counterclockwise and before the end of dancing, musicians have to lead dancing clockwise for seven rounds. Jakueku yard is used as a place for ritual ceremonies and in welcoming visitors a public yard is used instead. Now, there are totally 23 songs used in Jakue dancing and 83 dancing patterns. These dancing patterns aim at expressing affections, warmth, and unity in groups of people.