Abstract:
To study twelve-months tradition (Heet Sib Song) as practical Isan traditions to provide social capital to enhance social solidarity in Isan rural community. The research was conducted by using qualitative research methods: participant observation and in-depth interviews, in Ban Kee Lek, Tambon Nong Wang, Muang District, Roi-Et Province. The research found that villagers in Ban Kee Lek have used twelve-months tradition as a tool to transfer their local traditional thoughts, beliefs, and social values in response to practices of Buddhism and animism, ties of kinship, and customs of local agriculture. Twelve-months tradition have not only kept local peoples close relationship but also their social supporting system among themselves and with neighboring villages. These social and cultural practices have long been accepted as Isan social capital tying local people to live together in harmony, self-reliance, and social solidarity. This pattern of Isan ways of living is locally recognized as Yuu Chum Kin Yen, literally means to live peacefully and to eat bountifully. At present, the Ban Kee Lek villagers still practice twelve-months tradition in order to amalgamate with not only their neighboring villages but also their relatives who live far away from the community. However the research found that the traditions cannot provide their effective social functions and social capital as much as they did in the past. This is mainly because dynamic economic, social, and cultural changes have turned the villagers lifestyle to become more estranged and have undermined their social solidarity. Twelve-months tradition still has important social functions in the community because 1) villagers place a high value on the maintenance of good relationships among family members, relatives, and neighbors; 2) seniors and monks who are traditional leaders see the importance of passing down twelve-months tradition to their young generations; 3) there are cooperation and assistance among households, temples, schools, and the sub-district administrative organization committees; and 4) the agricultural work and lifestyle encourages cooperation and labor exchange which brings villagers together to help one another.