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Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre
Ethnic Groups Research Database |
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Record |
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Subject |
Urak Lawoi, Sea gypsies, belief, ritual, cultural anthropology, Phi Phi Don Island, Krabi, southern region |
Author |
Wisit Mayachiaw and Khemachart Thepchai |
Title |
The Sea Gypsies at Laem Tong Village: A cultural-anthropological study |
Document Type |
Other |
Original Language of Text |
Thai |
Ethnic Identity |
Uraklawoy,
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Language and Linguistic Affiliations |
Austronesian |
Location of
Documents |
Sirindhorn Anthropology Center Library |
Total Pages |
30 |
Year |
1984 |
Source |
A survey report, Division of Archeology, Department of Fine Arts |
Abstract |
The report describes living conditions, beliefs, customs and traditions, and rituals of the Sea Gypsies. This marginalized ethnic group at Laem Tong Village is a mixture of many ethnic groups from various islands and inter-ethnic marriage has been practiced. Moreover, there are investors from Satun Province and Muslims from Koh Yao Island. The Sea Gypsies believe in the God at the village shrine. The God is their spiritual refuge and rituals are conducted when they are in trouble. They also regard “Toh” as their leader and ritual consultant. The village head has little role to play in their daily lives. Their families are more nuclear and their economic system depends on outside investors. It is noted that the economic system is defined by investors. These investors use products and labor of different forms to bind the Sea Gypsies. The investors bring external products to sell to the gypsies at a high price and buy local products from the villagers at a low price. The Sea Gypsies are bound by debts imposed by unscrupulous investors and there are no state agencies to deal with the problem.
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