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SUMMARY

The study aimed at accumulating the concepts of Sane Ritual of Tai – Dum (Lao -
Song) at Ban Phai Hu Chang in Bang Lane district, Nakhon Pathom province. The research was
first conducted by studying the concerned materials and then collecting the data by

observation, interview, and tape-recording in the living area of the ethnic group. The soul
recalling speech in therapeutic ceremony of Tai – Dum (Lao - Song) called Sane Ritual was the
oldest Thai healing rite. It was ritual procedure which is similar to Ram Pee Fah (Thai classical
dance performed showing respect to spirits) of Tai ethnic group. This ceremony had been
inherited from Tai Dam ethnic group in Sibsong Juthai Region located in the north of Vietnam.

This reflects the belief in spirits of Tai - Dum, especially in Pee Fah Phaya Thaen (the most
powerful spirit in the heaven). The ritual procedured consists of speech acts by 5 steps: 1.
inviting and worshiping spirit from the heaven, 2. diagnosing the patient , 3. curing the patient by

praying to the spirit , 4. recalling the patient’s soul to the body, and 5. saying
goodbye and praying to the spirit to return to heaven when finishing the therapeutic ceremony.
The data used in the research were 5 soul recalling speeches collected from 5 shamens. The
data were analyzed by John R. Searle’s speech acts theory. The interesting points from the

results of the study were as follows: Tai - Dam believed in Pee Fah Phaya Thaen as the angel
and in ancestors spirits. They had yearly ritual of spirits propitiation in April May or June. This
ritual was called “Sane”. They had positive attitude to the ritual and also believed that sacrifice
to Pee Fah Phaya Thaen would bring them and family good fortunes, life benefits, healthiness,

and career advancement. However, they believed that Pee Fah Phaya Thaen would bring them
seasoning rain which was very important for agriculture. Additionally, the rituals convey the
cultural heritage which was continually performed by Tai ethnic group in the south of China.
Nowadays, Tais in Yunnan and Guangxi, including in the North of Vietnam also perform the

rituals marking Tai identity in terms of their unity of the community. This maintains the
existence of kinship among Tais which has been influencing Thai nationhood heretofore. Despite
the changes of rituals performed in different localities, the essence and character of the culture

will always remain. The results and conclusion of this research correspond to the speech acts
theory as “Words are connected to actions”. It can be proved by the speech used by shamens
to encourage and reassure the patients.
Key words: Pee Fah Phaya Thaen Sane ceremony Tai – Dum (Lao - Song)