Abstract:
The thesis on The Dance of Chong Ethnic Group aims at studying the dance of Chong Ethnic Group in Krating village, Chanthaburi Province from 1998-2000. The study is based on a string of empirical evidencerelated รณdies, textbooks on the Chong Ethnic Group, interviews with Chong people in the Krating village, observations of the actual ceremonies and videos made of the demonstrations of the ceremonies. The study shows that the dance of the Chong Ethnic Group is normally performed at three ceremonies including a grand wedding, len phee hing, and len phee rong. The grand wedding is exclusive to the wedding of the eldest daughter of the family and includes three rites: the buffalo fight, Malabar ironwood cutting, and roosters singing during which dances will be incorporated. During the first session of the ceremony when the procession of the traditional tray of gifts from the groom to the brides family arrives, a mock buffalo fight will be performed. In the show, which takes about 15-20 minutes, two men wearing fake horns imitate the movements of fighting buffalos to the accompaniment of rhythms made by a small group of men pounding the coconut shell-topped bamboo rods and ringing metal bells. The dance is also performed during the second session by the Master of Ceremonies who dances around the married couple and performs the Malabar ironwood cutting rite in which he cuts a make-believe Malabar ironwood tree, called cheng leng, with an axe. In the last session, the dance is performed while the Master of Ceremonies is imitating a roosters movements as part of the roosters singing rite. Len phee hing and len phee rong, on the other hand, are performed to pay homage to a dead ancestor and invite him to possess the medium. The medium then performs a dance accompanied by traditional tones to drum and wooden clapper accompaniment. Costumes are of modem style. The instruments used in the dance during the wedding ceremony include coconut shell-topped bamboo rods to beat out a rhythm and cheng leng, a cone-shaped basketry used in the Malabar ironweed cutting rite. As for the len phee hing and len phee rong ceremonies, the dancer sports a loincloth to identify the dead ancestor who is possessing the medium. The drum used for the ceremonies is a small long drum. The dance of the Chong Ethnic Group is an integral part of the three ceremonies. However, studies show that there has been a sharp decline in the performance of these ceremonies as the grand wedding ceremony will not be conducted if the eldest daughter marries a man of different race. The len phee hing and len phee rong ceremonies also seem to be in decline; a result of changing social values and a declining faith in the respect for dead ancestors. These unfavorable factors may eventually lead to the demise of the dance of the Chong Ethnic Group. It is suggested that the dance, which is unique to the Chong, be preserved together with a study on the dances of Chong ethnic groups in other villages which may van,' from those of the people in Krating village.