The Parere Dance of the Nyahkur in Chaiyaphum Province

Abstract

This article, submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the thesis on “The Parere Dance of the Nyahkur in Chaiyaphum Province” aimed to study the history and components of the Parere dance of the Nyahkur in Chaiyaphum province. For the methodology, data were collected through researching the related documents and field studies, including interviews with locals who have lived in the area since childhood, those who have migrated to the area, and those who have inherited the tradition of the dance as well as the local musicians in Village No. 1, Ban Rai Sub-district, Thep Sathit District, Chaiyaphum Province.
The major findings indicated that Parare is a playful call-and-response singing and dancing between men and women; it is related to astrology and accompanied by rhythmic drumming. Originally it was performed to celebrate the end of works and the beginning of the “Hae Ho Dok Phueng” festival. Later, the Nyahkur people developed and transformed it into a dance to promote their culture. They invented dance steps from the movements of songs: Rum Tone, and Rum Pan, imitating the daily activities of the Nyahkur people. The Parere dance is currently popular during the “Hae Ho Dok Phueng” festival, the grand Songkran festival of the Nyahkur people, held annually to pay respect to the ancestors and gods and to provide an opportunity for Nyahkur people to gather together. The Parere dance nowadays consists of six unique components: 1) performers, 2) music, 3) costumes, 4) lyrics, 5) performance techniques, and 6) performance opportunities. It is an integral part of the “Hae Ho Dok Phueng” festival during Songkran.
In conclusion Parare dance, derived from tradition and belief, is a means of creating auspiciousness and has an indirect belief in making merit on Songkran day and bringing only good things into life.