The roles of the educated young karen in a changing karen village : a case study of Nong Tao village, changwat Chiang Mai

Abstract

This thesis is designed to analyze and idenify the roles of educated young Karens in present-day cultural life of Nong Tao village, Chiang Mai province. This study uses anthropological qualitative research methodology. Field research was conducted to collect ethnographic data of Nong Tao village, traditional and changing Karen culture, education of the young people, and the relationship between them and the older and younger generation. The thesis focuses particularly on the social roles of the educated young Karen in Nong Tao village. The thesis points out that the youth in Nong Tao village have received modern education and have begun to identify themselves as both Thai and Karen. They, however, do not become assimilated into Thai society. Instead, they have developed innovative ways to promote and preserve their Karen culture and identity. It was found that the educated young Karen play important roles as cultural preservers through Karen traditional means, as cultural intensifiers through the use of modern methods and technology and also as cultural mediators bridging between the villagers in the Nong Tao village and the outsiders and also between the older and younger generation in the village. It becomes clear that modern education has become an important factor in shaping new direction of developing Karen village. Acquiring education and being exposed to Thai culture helps confirm the Karen identity in the modern world. Further analysis of the gender roles of the educated youth is suggested.