THE ROLES AND DEVELOPMENT OF LONG DRUM ENSEMBLES IN NERN WA SUB-DISTRICT, KONG KRAILAT DISTRICT, SUKHOTHAI PROVINCE (2005-2025)

Abstract

      This qualitative research investigates the cultural trajectory and contemporary relevance of the long-drum ensemble (klong yao) in Kong Krailas District, Sukhothai Province, between 2005 and 2025. The study pursues two objectives: (1) to examine the ensemble’s historical development and shifting sociocultural functions, and (2) to analyze the factors shaping its continuity as an expressive form of intangible cultural heritage. Employing a local community history approach, the research draws on Oral History interviews with five key informants—community leaders and long-drum practitioners in Noen Wa Subdistrict—whose narratives provide insight into the ensemble’s evolving cultural ecology.  Findings reveal that the endurance of the long-drum tradition reflects a strategic mode of cultural adaptation among the Tai Song Dam ethnic group. Their efforts to preserve core ritual practices under socioeconomic pressures align closely with the principles of Cultural Ecology, emphasizing the dynamic interplay between cultural systems and environmental change. The study also identifies the emergence of new cultural spaces—particularly those linked to tourism and digital engagement—that expand the ensemble’s functional value beyond ceremonial contexts.  The ensemble’s historical development unfolds across three phases. The traditional phase (2005–2012) emphasized ritual-based performances using locally sourced materials such as jackfruit wood and cowhide, maintaining acoustic authenticity. The hybridization phase (2013–2019) introduced contemporary musical influences shaped by provincial competitions, signaling outward-oriented adaptation. The revitalization phase (2020–2025), following the ensemble’s re-establishment in 2020, was driven primarily by economic rationalization; offering accessible performance rates (3,000–4,000 THB) enhanced its competitiveness relative to modern music groups and strengthened its cultural-economic sustainability.  Beyond musical performance, the ensemble now contributes to community well-being, social cohesion, and intergenerational knowledge transmission, supported by the strategic use of digital media to engage youth. Nonetheless, challenges persist—including declining numbers of skilled successors and shortages of cowhide—threatening the preservation of its distinctive sonic identity.  Overall, the study demonstrates that the long-drum tradition persists through ongoing negotiation between customary ritual norms and contemporary social conditions. Its sustainability is underpinned by kinship-based support systems, local institutional involvement, and adaptive performance practices. These insights advance theoretical discussions on cultural resilience, offering a nuanced model for understanding how intangible cultural heritage survives within rapidly transforming sociocultural environments.