Hailing unsung heroes
A development project argues that giving villagers steady jobs will reduce their temptation to encroach on forests and harm local resources
Royally initiated development projects have taken root in Nan in the hope that the locals will be able to chart the course of their own communities' development.
Corn is hung in a barn. It was grown using organic fertiliser promoted under the Pid Thong Lang Phra project. RATTANAWAN POTHISOMBAT
The northern province has been chosen as a location for the implementation of the Pid Thong Lang Phra (Unsung Hero) project.
The project follows His Majesty the King's sufficiency economy philosophy with the motto: "Helping villagers to help themselves".
Pid Thong Lang Phra, a project that enjoyed a resounding success in weaning highlanders off growing opium poppies in Chiang Rai, was first introduced to Nan last year.
It has been launched in three districts: Tha Wang Pha, Song Khwer and Chalerm Prakiat.
The project operates on the concept of promoting sustainable development through collaboration between the government, provincial officials and related organisations.
Boonyong Wongrakmit, head of the project implementation committee, said that it focuses on people rather than anything else.
The project has been implemented so villagers can stand on their own two feet and become strong enough to protect their own communities.
His Pid Thong Lang Phra committee picked Nan to receive support because the Nan River, which is one of the major tributaries of the Chao Phraya River, has its origin in the province.
A small pond is dug to collect water for farming. Villagers and project staff cooperated to make the pond. RATTANAWAN POTHISOMBAT
The idea is that when villagers have steady farm jobs they will be in firm control of their lives. That way, they will not encroach on forests and exhaust the richness of the natural resources, including the upstream Nan river watershed.
A natural or man-made disaster affecting the Nan River would have a serious knock-on effect on the Chao Phraya, which receives almost half of its water from it.
The Nan River has also had its fair share of natural disasters and pollution.
The Pid Thong Lang Phra project aims to improve villagers' livelihoods and protect natural resources.
The villagers are provided education and occupational training which gives them job security. They are then encouraged and advised to look at their communities and figure out the best development models for their localities.
The project advisers have floated the idea that the villagers should concentrate on water management to mitigate the impact of seasonal flooding on the forests and people's livelihoods.
MR Disnadda Diskul, an administrator of the project, said advisers are familiar with local areas and well-versed in rural development. Advisers first set their sights on spreading knowledge about basic rural development to educated people in the villages.
A healthy harvest of rice from the fields. SOMBAT RAKSAKUL
He said villagers have a tendency to believe in and trust their educated neighbours. The knowledge is passed down and people are more willing to cooperate in the project.
The Pid Thong Lang Phra project in Nan is about 85% complete. Unfortunately, flooding damaged many crops and fields in September this year just five days before harvest.
Thanakorn Ruchtanon, the office manager of the Pid Thong Lang Phra Project in Nan said the widespread flooding should spur the villagers to realise the urgent need to undertake developmental plans that can prevent disasters and save their precious harvests.
One such initiative would be to construct a dam to prevent floods, he said.
Farmers' rites pay homage to guardian of paddy fields
Keeping the natural resources around the Nan River fertile means keeping alive the age-old tradition of worshipping the Goddess of Rice.
Officials who inspected progress in the Pid Thong Lang Phra projects in Nan recently were treated to a cultural feast with the performance of the ceremony paying homage to Phra Mae Phosop (Rice Goddess).
The locals believe a development initiative that is conducive to bountiful rice output will give Phra Mae Phosop something to continue guarding.
Rice is threshed to obtain the grains. SOMBAT RAKSAKUL
For about 800 years, Thai farmers have held the belief that Phra Mae Phosop is the guardian of their paddy fields and rice crops.
Various rites are performed to pay respect to the goddess and the rite itself is called Su Khwan Khao (Rice Blessing).
Farmers believe that the Buddhist faith will bring them prosperity and wealth in their cultivation. This belief has continued for generations.
The centre of the blessing rite, taking place sometime between January and April, is in Nam Pak village of Nan's Tha Wang Pha district.
Before rice cultivation, farmers choose an auspicious date for the Su Khwan Khao rite. Farmers believe the goddess will manifest herself through the medium Narn who is the senior spiritual leader of the village.
"Not everyone can be Narn," one of the villagers said.
Narn chants and asks for the goddess's permission to plant paddy rice and to start the cultivating season. Then farmers place food offerings for Phra Mae Phosop which include alcoholic drinks, food, and fruits.
The rite takes place three times a year to ensure ample divine protection all year round, Narn Parn or Worapon Chaisalee, the master of ceremonies said.
Atraditional dance is performed by youngsters in the village before the rice blessing rite. RATTANAWAN POTHISOMBAT
"The folk believe Phra Mae Posop will only bring rain if she is in the right mood. The farmers must worship her or suffer the consequences such as hunger, sickness and poverty," he said.
"We also put up woven bamboo sticks to designate the boundaries of the paddy fields and invite local guardian spirits to come in and protect us."
Also, farmers have to ask for forgiveness from Phra Mae Phosop before reaping the rice. Rice is then threshed on the ground and transported to granaries. That is the last step in the production process.
To worship the rice goddess, farmers also perform dances for her throughout their ceremonies, but ceremonies to worship Phra Mae Phosop vary in different regions.
The ceremonies in Nan are different from those elsewhere but rice farmers share the same purpose, which is fostering the kindness of Phra Mae Phosop.
Thanakorn Ruchtanon, the office manager of the Pid Thong Lang Phra (Unsung Hero) project in Nan, said the sacredness of the rite is waning as the younger generation does not appreciate its importance.
"The ceremony unites people and family members," he said.
"We are supposed to promote this rite for children and youths so that they recognise its spiritual-fostering value."
Villagers place offerings for the guardian of the rice fields. RATTANAWAN POTHISOMBAT
Credit: Bangkok Post (www.bangkokpost.com)
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