Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-94fs2 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-06T11:45:53.314Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Ethnohistorical Archaeology and the Mythscape of the Naga in the Chiang Saen Basin, Thailand

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2021

Piyawit Moonkham
Piyawit Moonkham*
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, Washington State University, USA
*
*Corresponding author. Email: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

There is a northern Thai story that tells how the naga—a mythical serpent—came and destroyed the town known as Yonok (c. thirteenth century) after its ruler became immoral. Despite this divine retribution, the people of the town chose to rebuild it. Many archaeological sites indicate resettlement during this early historical period. Although many temple sites were constructed in accordance with the Buddhist cosmology, the building patterns vary from location to location and illustrate what this paper calls ‘nonconventional patterns,’ distinct from Theravada Buddhist concepts. These nonconventional patterns of temples seem to have been widely practiced in many early historical settlements, e.g., Yonok (what is now Wiang Nong Lom). Many local written documents and practices today reflect the influence of the naga myth on building construction. This paper will demonstrate that local communities in the Chiang Saen basin not only believe in the naga myth but have also applied the myth as a tool to interact with the surrounding landscapes. The myth is seen as a crucial, communicated element used by the local people to modify and construct physical landscapes, meaning Theravada Buddhist cosmology alone cannot explain the nonconventional patterns. As such, comprehending the role of the naga myth enables us to understand how local people, past and present, have perceived the myth as a source of knowledge to convey their communal spaces within larger cosmological concepts in order to maintain local customs and legitimise their social space.

Keywords

mythscapenagaNorthern Thailandethnoarchaeologysocial landscape
Type
Original Article
Information
TRaNS: Trans-Regional and -National Studies of Southeast Asia , Volume 9 , Issue 2 , November 2021 , pp. 185 - 202
Check for updates
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Institute for East Asian Studies, Sogang University

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Allerton, Catherin. 2009. “Introduction: Spiritual landscapes of Southeast Asia.” Anthropological Forum 19(3): 235–251.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Amin, Jusna J.A. 2012. “Cultural landscape of Java.” In Managing Cultural Landscapes, edited by Tylor, K., and Lennon, J.L., 73–89. London and New York: Routledge.Google Scholar
Bautista, Julius, and Anthony, Reid. 2012. “Introduction: Materiality and religious diversity in Southeast Asia.” In The spirit of things: materiality and religious diversity in Southeast Asia (Studies on Southeast Asia; no. 58), edited by Bautista, Julius, 1–10. Ithaca, N.Y.: Southeast Asia Program, Cornell University.Google Scholar
Bell, Andrew R., Cook, Benjamin I., Anchukaitis, Kevin J., Buckley, Brendan M., and Edward R., Cook. 2011. “Repurposing climate reconstructions for drought prediction in Southeast Asia.” Climatic Change 106(4): 691–698.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Buckley, Brendan M., Palakit, Kritsadapan, Duangsathaporn, Khwanchai, Sanguantham, Prasong, and Patsi, Prasomsin. 2007. “Decadal scale droughts over Northwestern Thailand over the past 448 years: Links to the tropical Pacific and Indian Ocean sectors.” Climate Dynamics 29(1): 63–71.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Buckley, Brendan M., Anchukaitis, Kevin J., Penny, Daniel, Fletcher, Roland, Cook, Edward R., Sano, Masaki, Nam, Le Canh, Wichienkeeo, Aroonrut, Minh, Ton That, and Hong, Truong Mai. 2010. “Climate as a contributing factor in the demise of Angkor, Cambodia.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 107(15): 6748–6752.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cassaniti, Julia. 2015. Living Buddhism: Mind, Self, and Emotion in a Thai Community. Ithaca, New York: Cornell University Press.Google Scholar
Cassaniti, Julia, and Tanya M., Luhrmann. 2011. “Encountering the supernatural: A phenomenological account of mind.” Religion and Society 2(1): 37–53.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Clarke, David. 1973. “Archaeology: The loss of innocence.” Antiquity 47(185): 6–18.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Eberhardt, Nancy. 2006. Imagining the Course Of Life: Self-Transformation in a Shan Buddhist Community. Chiang Mai: Silkworm Books.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Evans, Damian H., Fletcher, Roland J., Pottier, Christophe, Chevance, Jean-Baptiste, Soutif, Dominique, Tan, Boun Suy, Im, Sokrithy, Ea, Darith, Tin, Tina, Kim, Samnang, Cromarty, Christopher, De Greef, Stéphane, Hanus, Kasper, Bâty, Pierre, Kuszinger, Robert, Shimoda, Ichita, and Boornazian, Glenn. 2013. “Uncovering archaeological landscapes at Angkor using Lidar.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 110(31): 12595–12600.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Fine Arts Department of Thailand (FAD). 1991. Borankhadee Chiang Rai (Archaeology of Chiang Rai). Bangkok: Archaeological Unit, Fine Art Department of Thailand (in Thai).Google Scholar
Fine Arts Department of Thailand (FAD) 2009. Report on the Archaeological Survey on The Monuments in Chiang Saen District, Chiang Rai Province. Chiang Saen, Chiang Rai: Fine Arts Department of Thailand.Google Scholar
Fine Arts Department of Thailand (FAD) 2010. Report on the Archaeological Survey on the Monuments in Chiang Saen District, Chiang Rai Province. Chiang Saen, Chiang Rai: Fine Arts Department of Thailand.Google Scholar
Fletcher, Roland J., and Damian H., Evans. 2012. “The dynamics of Angkor and its landscape: Issues of scale, non-correspondence and outcome.” In Old Myths and New Approaches: Interpreting Ancient Religious Sites in Southeast Asia, edited by Haendel, A., 42–62. Clayton: Monash University Publishing.Google Scholar
Hendrickson, Mitch. 2012. “Connecting the dots: Investigating transportation between the temple complexes of the medieval Khmer (9th to 14th centuries CE).” In Old Myths and New Approaches: Interpreting Ancient Religious Sites in Southeast Asia, edited by Haendel, A., 84–102. Clayton: Monash University Publishing.Google Scholar
Hillier, Bill, and Julienne, Hanson. 1984. The Social Logic of Space. Cambridge: Cambridge University.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hodder, Ian. 1982. The Present Past: An Introduction to Anthropology for Archaeologist. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd.Google Scholar
Hodder, Ian. 1995. Interpreting Archaeology: Finding Meaning in the Past. London and New York: Routledge.Google Scholar
Holt, John C. 2009. Spirits of the Place: Buddhism and Lao Religious Culture. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press.Google Scholar
Ingold, Tim. 1993. “The temporality of the landscape.” World Archaeology 25(2): 152–174.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jirasak, Dejwongya. 1996. Phra Chedi Muang Chiang Saen (The Chedis of Chiang Saen). Chiang Mai: Suriwong Book Center.Google Scholar
Johnson, Andrew A. 2019. “The river grew tired of us.” HAU: Journal of Ethnographic Theory 9(2): 390–404.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Karlström, Anna. 2009. “Preserving Impermanence: The Creation of Heritage in Vientiane, Laos.” PhD diss., Institutionen för arkeologi och antik historia.Google Scholar
Lorrillard, Michel. 2000. “Souvanna Khom Kham ou Chiang Saen Rive Gauche? Note sur un Site Archéologique Lao Récemment.” Aséanie 5(1): 57–67.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mahachulalongkorn, Rachawitthayalai. 1997. Phratripidok Phasathai [Thai Tripitaka] Chabap Mahachulalongkorn Rachawitthayalai. Bangkok: Mahachulalongkorn Rachawitthayalai.Google Scholar
Manit, Vallibhotama. 1973. Singhanawattrakumara: A Critical Edition. Bangkok: Office of the Prime Minister.Google Scholar
Mayoury, Ngaosīvat, and Pheuiphanh, Ngaosrivathana. 2009. The Enduring Sacred Landscape of the Naga. Chiang Mai: Mekong Press.Google Scholar
McDaniel, Justin T. 2014. The Lovelorn Ghost and the Magical Monk: Practicing Buddhism in Modern Thailand. New York: Columbia University.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ng, Serene, Wood, Spencer H., and Alan D., Ziegler. 2015. “Ancient floods, modern hazards: The Ping river, Paleofloods and the lost city of Wiang Kum Kam.” Natural Hazards 75(3): 2247–2263.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chumdee, Nootnapang. 2006. “The Settlement Patterns and Development of Ancient Communities in The Chiang Saen Sovereignty During 13th–18th Centuries.” MA diss., Chiang Mai University.Google Scholar
Olsen, Bjørnar. 2003. “Material culture after text: Re-membering things.” Norwegian Archeological Review 36(2): 87–104.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pattana, Kitiarsa. 2005. “Beyond syncretism: Hybridization of popular religion in contemporary Thailand.” Journal of Southeast Asian Studies 36(03): 461–487.Google Scholar
Pattana, Kitiarsa. 2012. Mediums, Monks, and Amulets: Thai Popular Buddhism Today. Chiang Mai: Silkworm Books.Google Scholar
Penth, Hans, Phanphen, Kruathai, and Silao, Kateprom. 1997. Inscriptions in the Chiang Saen Museum. Chiang Mai: Social Research Institute, Chiang Mai University.Google Scholar
Phra, Lakkhawutthajan. 1973. Tamnan Muang Chiang Saen [The Chronicle of Chiang Saen]. Chiang Saen: Boonpadung.Google Scholar
Phra, Sirimongkhalajan. 1980. Chakkrawanthipani. Chiang Mai: Social Research Institute, Chiang Mai University.Google Scholar
Phraya, Prachakitkorachak. 1973. Pongsawadan Yonok [The Chronicle of Yonok]. Bangkok: Klang Wittaya.Google Scholar
Piyawit, Moonkham. 2019. “Collective memory and embodiment of the Naga in the Northern Thai cultural landscape.” Explorations: A Graduate Student Journal of Southeast Asian Studies (15): 69–85.Google Scholar
Pakkham, Prompon. 2007. “Naga: The belief and sculptural characteristics in Mekong basin and upper Northeastern Thailand.” BA diss., Silpakorn University.Google Scholar
Ritthisorn, Rattha. 1998. “The Development of Lanna Chetiya.” MA diss., Silpakorn University.Google Scholar
Ongsakul, Sarassawadee. 2009. Prawattisat Lanna [A History of Lanna]. Bangkok: Amarin Printing Group.Google Scholar
Lertlit, Sawang. 1997. “The Management of Archaeological Resources in Thailand: A Case Study of the Historic Town of Chiang Saen.” MA diss., Washington State University.Google Scholar
Silao, Kateprom. 2001. Prapheni Chiwitkhonmuang [Lanna Tradition and Life]. Chiang Mai: Social Research Institute, Chiang Mai University.Google Scholar
Southworth, William A. 2012. “Religious architecture and irrigation in the plain of Phan Rang.” In Old Myths and New Approaches: Interpreting Ancient Religious Sites in Southeast Asia, edited by Haendel, A., 114–134. Clayton: Monash University Publishing.Google Scholar
Stark, Miriam T. 2006. “Early Mainland Southeast Asian landscapes in the first Millennium AD.” Annual Reviews of Anthropology 35: 407–432.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sumet, Chumsāi. 1997. Naga: Cultural Origins in Siam and the West Pacific. Bangkok: Chalermnit Press and DD Books.Google Scholar
Swearer, Donald K. 1995. The Buddhist World of Southeast Asia. Albany: State University of New York Press.Google Scholar
Swearer, Donald K., Premchit, Sommai, and Dokbuakaew, Phaithoon. 2004. Sacred Mountains of Northern Thailand and Their Legends. Chiang Mai: Silkworm BooksGoogle Scholar
Tambiah, Stanley J. 1970. Buddhism and The Spirit Cults in North-East Thailand. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Tambiah, Stanley J. 1977. “The galactic polity: The structure of traditional kingdoms in Southeast Asia.” Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 293(1): 69–97.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tannenbaum, Nicola. 2013. “Monuments and memory: Phaya Sihanatraja and the founding of Maehongson.” In Cultural Crisis and Social Memory: Modernity and Identity in Thailand and Laos, edited by Keyes, Charles F. and Tanabe, Shigeharu, 137–153. London and New York: Routledge.Google Scholar
Van Esterik, Penny. 1982. “Interpreting a cosmology: Guardian spirits in Thai Buddhism.” Anthropos 77(1): 1–15.Google Scholar
Wallis, Neill J. 2008. “Network of history and memory: Creating a nexus of social identities in Woodland period mounds on the lower St River. Florida.” Journal of Social Archaeology 8(2): 236–271.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sowannee, Waranan. 2009. “Sacred Mountain: Interpretation of Sacred Place in Thailand.” PhD, Diss., Silpakorn University, 2009.Google Scholar
Boonyasurathana, Worarun. 1992. “The Study of Lanna Vihara Pediment in Chiangmai.” MA diss., Silpakorn University.Google Scholar
Wyatt, David K. 2003. Thailand: A Short History. New Haven and London: Yale University Press.Google Scholar