Abstract:
The purposes of this research were to collect and analyze the folktales, to investigate
local wisdom in the folktales, and to present ways to inherit these folktales and local wisdom. The
data were collected during 2014 2015, including 226 stories told by 45 narrators residing in
Kasetsomboon District, Chaiyaphum Province.
It was found that the 226 folktales were classified into 9 categories; 112 jests, 31
explanatories, 28 novellas, 22 fables, 14 ghost stories, 9 sages, 6 animal tales, 2 religious tales
and 2 formula tales. According to the Epic of Folk Narrative, their structures harmonized to
Single-stranded and Logic laws while Non-strict laws were those of twins, Initial and Final
position, and Patterning.
On the reflection of folk lifestyles, seven aspects including living conditions, family
characteristics, occupations, customs, beliefs, values and roles as members of society were
explained accordingly.
The roles of folktales were categorized into 5 groups: those for entertainment; helping
release pressure and frustration; education; and imagination. These reflected ways of life, local
wisdom and local literature.
Nine aspects of local wisdom found in the folktales were habitats; occupations; tools;
dressing; food preservation; beliefs and rites; disease treatments; language and literature; and
music and performances. Finally, four ways of inheriting local wisdom and folktales were
carried on through community, schools, mass media, and the combination of those mentioned and
peoples involvement.