Performing Identity Through the Klong Yao Tradition Among the Siamese Community of Perlis, Malaysia

PERFORMING IDENTITY THROUGH THE KLONG YAO TRADITION AMONG THE SIAMESE COMMUNITY OF PERLIS, MALAYSIA CHAYUTI TASSANAWONGWARA FACULTY OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES UNIVERSITY OF MALAYA UniversityKUALA LUMPUR of Malaya 2018 PERFORMING IDENTITY THROUGH THE KLONG YAO TRADITION AMONG THE SIAMESE COMMUNITY OF PERLIS, MALAYSIA CHAYUTI TASSANAWONGWARA DISSERTATION SUBMITTED IN FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS FACULTY OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES UNIVERSITY OF MALAYA UniversityKUALA LUMP ofUR Malaya 2018 UNIVERSITY OF MALAYA ORIGINAL LITERARY WORK DECLARATION Name of Candidate: CHAYUTI TASSANAWONGWARA Matric No: AGB160003 Name of Degree: MASTER OF ARTS Title of Project Paper/Research Report/Dissertation/Thesis (―this Work‖): PERFORMING IDENTITY THROUGH THE KLONG YAO TRADITION AMONG THE SIAMESE COMMUNITY OF PERLIS, MALAYSIA Field of Study: SOUTHEAST ASIAN STUDIES I do solemnly and sincerely declare that: (1) I am the sole author/writer of this Work; (2) This Work is original; (3) Any use of any work in which copyright exists was done by way of fair dealing and for permitted purposes and any excerpt or extract from, or reference to or reproduction of any copyrighted work has been disclosed expressly and sufficiently and the title of the Work and its authorship have been acknowledged in this Work; (4) I do not have any actual knowledge nor do I ought reasonably to know that the making of this work constitutes an infringement of any copyrighted work; (5) I hereby assign all and every right in the copyright to this Work to the University of Malaya (―UM‖), who henceforth shall be owner of the copyright in this Work and that any reproduction or use in any form or by any means whatsoever is prohibited without the written consent of UM having been first had and obtained; (6) I am fully aware that if in the course of making this Work I have infringed any copyright whether intentionally or otherwise, I may be subject to legal action or any other action as may be determined by the UM. UniversityCandidate‘s Signature of MalayaDate: 4 September 2018 Subscribed and solemnly declared before, Witness‘s Signature Date: 4 September 2018 Name: Designation: ii PERFORMING IDENTITY THROUGH THE KLONG YAO TRADITION AMONG THE SIAMESE COMMUNITY OF PERLIS, MALAYSIA ABSTRACT The long drum, the Klong Yao performances are found around the northern states of Malaysia where there are Siamese communities. Although the Siamese in Perlis is a minority group, they have succeeded in establishing the Klong Yao as a Siamese tradition. Thus, the Klong Yao tradition becomes representative of the Siamese image in the eyes of others. This study explores the presentation and representation of the Klong Yao tradition of the Siamese in the state of Perlis, Malaysia. The whole performance process makes (or shape) the identity of the community. However, the process and also the identity are facing issues and challenges. This study connects and analyzes the relations between Thai and Siamese as well as with other communities through the lenses of the Klong Yao performance. This study analyzes the construction of the identity through the performance of the Klong Yao performance and investigates how the Siamese maintained the tradition and identity through the performance process. This is a qualitative study. It relies on both primary and secondary data. Library research was conducted to collect data on the historical background of the issue. In the field, non- participant observation was conducted to observe the Siamese life in a diverse context. Also, participant observation was conducted to collect data of the Klong Yao tradition, rituals, traditional practices and ceremonies, as well as any processes concerning performingUniversity identity, are involved in thisof aspect Malaya. Moreover, interviews are also conducted to validate the data and collected information from library research and participant observation. The main findings of the study present performance process framework modelled on Richard Schechner‘s framework shows cultural identity formed through the Klong Yao tradition. Performance process associated with this study to point out that the Siamese protects their selfness (or their rights) against the hegemony of difference. By representing Thai-ness, Thai language particularly central-Thai dialect iii and Buddhist practice are crucially brought up to the Klong Yao performance. In addition, the performance process is constructed by presenting as Thai through costumes, songs and lyrics, procession and even dance. The study also shows that the Siamese community maintains the Klong Yao as well as sustains its identity by strengthening the cultural identity among the members of family, community, either throughout their villages or the state itself. Among the Siamese, the Klong Yao performance is accepted as the sharing the heritage of Thai race while among other people. It is also perceived as performing the tradition of Siamese. University of Malaya iv MEMPERSEMBAHKAN IDENTITI MELALUI TRADISI KLONG YAO DI KALANGAN KOMUNITI SIAM DI PERLIS, MALAYSIA ABSTRAK Persembahan-persembahan gendang panjang, Klong Yao yang terdapat di sekitar negeri- negeri di utara Malaysia di mana terdapatnya komuniti Siam. Walaupun komuniti Siam adalah kumpulan minoriti di Perlis, mereka berjaya membangunkan Klong Yao sebagai tradisi Siam. Oleh itu, tradisi Klong Yao menjadi represntasi imej Siam di sudut pandangan orang lain. Kajian ini membentangkan presentasi dan representasi tradisi Klong Yao Siam di negeri Perlis, Malaysia. Keseluruhan proses persembahan adalah penanda identiti yang turut menghadapi isu dan cabaran yang penting. Kajian ini cuba menghubungkan dan menganalisis hubungan antara Thai dan Siam serta masyarakat lain dengan mengetengahkan kedudukan persembahan Klong Yao. Kajian ini cuba menganalisis pembentukan identiti melalui persembahan Klong Yao dan mengkaji bagaimana komuniti Siam dapat mengekalkan tradisi dan identiti melalui proses persembahan. Kajian ini dijalankan dengan menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif untuk mengumpulkan data primer dan sekunder. Ulasan terhadap buku-buku, artikel-artikel jurnal dan lain-lain adalah portal pengumpulan data yang relevan sementara kajian soal selidik dan pemerhatian tidak ikut serta dilakukan untuk mengamati komuniti Siam dalam konteks yang beragam. Pemerhatian ikut serta dilakukan untuk pengumpulan data lapangan seperti ritual, amalan-amalan tradisional dan upacara-upacara serta proses-prosesUniversity yang melibatkan persembahan of identiti. Malaya Selain itu, temubual diadakan bersama dengan informan-informan utama bagi mengesahkan lagi data dan maklumat yang diperoleh. Penemuan utama kajian ini menunjukkan proses persembahan mengikut kerangka Richard Schechner bahawa identiti budaya dapat dibentuk melalui tradisi Klong Yao. Proses persembahan yang dikaitkan dengan kajian ini menunjukkan bahawa komuniti Siam mempertahankan jati diri mereka daripada perbezaan hegemoni. Dengan representasi rasa Thai, Bahasa Thai terutamanya dialek Tengah Thai dan amalan- v amalan Buddha adalah penting sehingga membawa kepada persembahan Klong Yao. Sebagai tambahan, proses presentasi dibentuk dengan persembahan sebagai orang Thai melalui pengenaan kostum, penggunaan lagu dan lirik, perarakan dan menari. Kajian turut menganalisis komuniti Siam meneruskan Klong Yao serta mengekalkan identiti dengan memperkasakan identiti budaya di kalangan anggota keluarga, komuniti, sama ada di kampong-kampong atau negeri itu sendiri. Klong Yao diterima di kalangan komuniti Siam sebagai warisan yang dikongsi bersama di kalangan masyarakat Thai sementara di kalangan masyarakat lain ia dianggap sebagai persembahan tradisi orang- orang Siam. University of Malaya vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First and foremost, I would like to kneel down, press my hands together, and bend forward to worship Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha for providing the benevolent truth of survival with goodness. Learning and understanding overcame my crises and dilemmas in challenging moments of research and also as a Buddhist. I owe my intellectual debt to my supervisor, Associate professor Dr. Hanafi Hussin, I would like to express my sincere gratitude and a great honour to him for beneficial supervision, priceless tutelage, and being a role model. His immense academic training has successfully contributed to the completion of this dissertation. I am sincerely thankful to Dr. Surasak Jamnongsarn, Dr. Chaiwat Meesanthan and Ajarn Worapong Charoenwong for their unconditional encouragements and inspirations. My deepest appreciation goes to Mr. Pramoot Phetcharatt and family for warm hospitality during several field works and special thanks to Venerable Chiang Promwocitr, an abbot of Promwicitr temple as well as all Siamese in Perlis for remarkable friendliness and kindness as if we were bloodline kinsman. I am also most indebted to the informants for precious answers and patient listening to my numerous curiosities. This dissertation would never have been possible without the financial support from my paternal grandmothers, Ms. Suree Praditphong, Ms. Fuerngfa Tassanawongwara,University and Ms. Napha Praditphong. of The Malaya cheerful support from my adorable maternal grandmother, Ms. Samruay Prommanee, I express my gratitude. Finally and most importantly, to my precious family in Kanchanaburi Thailand, warmest embraces of Por and Mare (father and mother) fully charged me with love throughout my life. I indeed want to express my heartfelt appreciation to them. Besides Por and Mare, I thank

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