Naga: Narratives, Beliefs and Rituals in Chaiyaphum Province.

Abstract

This research article aims 1.to study the narratives about Naga in Chaiyaphum Province. 2. to study the beliefs and rituals concerning the Naga in Chaiyaphum Province. 3.to analyze the cultural and artistic reproduction concerning the Naga concept in Chaiyaphum Province. This qualitative research was conducted through in-depth interviews with 12 target participants divided into four main groups: 1. Owners or caretakers of the sites; 2. Ritual participants; 3. Product vendors; and 4. Cultural scholars. The research findings indicated that: The narratives about the Naga in Chaiyaphum Province are a blend of Buddhist and Hindu stories, combined with local and modern narratives. This has resulted in a belief system where the Naga can bestow both blessings and curses, leading to both communal and individual rituals. The analysis of cultural and artistic reproduction reveals that this process has led to the creation of a new cultural landscape.