SIAMESE TAI IN TAI CONTEXT: THE IMPACT OF A RULING CENTER

Tai social organization, likened to Chinese boxes fitting inside one another, is examined as it exists among the Siamese, where the person is viewed almost as a self-contained box. Considered here are justification of the person as a box, but denying individuality; power from without rather than fro...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Crossroads (De Kalb, Ill.) Ill.), 1990-01, Vol.5 (1), p.1-21
Main Author: O'Connor, Richard A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Amulets
Asia
Buddhism
Ethnography
Hierarchy
Highlands
Peasant class
Peasant Societies
Polities
Social Structure
Solidarity
Soul
Southeast Asian culture
Southeast Asian studies
Special Panel
Symbolism
Thailand
Traditional Societies
Villages
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Tai social organization, likened to Chinese boxes fitting inside one another, is examined as it exists among the Siamese, where the person is viewed almost as a self-contained box. Considered here are justification of the person as a box, but denying individuality; power from without rather than from within; powers that impinge on the person, eg, the Thai state, animism, Buddhism, & emboxment; & the container & state power. Siamese boxes are contrasted to configuration of symbols by other Tai people to show the historical effects of a ruling center. 2 Figures, 39 References. V. Wagener
ISSN:0741-2037