Abstract

                 The objectives of this research were (1) to study the background of Mueang Chiang-Hian, (2) to study on Chiang-Hian villagers’ belief of burial ground tradition in the present time, and (3) to study the values of Chiang-Hian villagers’ belief of burial ground tradition in Mueang district, Mahasarakarm province. This was a qualitative research with the documentary collection and interview.

                 A result of the research study was found that Chiang-Hian villagers had the tradition and custom as their ancient characteristics that were relating to the E-sarn villagers’ important literature: Pa-deang Nang-ai, Boon Bung Fai, and the burial ground tradition after death generally different from other communities.

                 Chiang-Hian villagers’ belief of burial ground tradition had only one purpose that was to send the dead one’s soul to the heaven without any mistake from the ancient tradition. There was the different belief of burial ground tradition from other communities.  When there was unusual death, the dead body was not absolutely burned but it had to be merely buried. This is so because it was different from the ancient tradition (Khalam) which would make the dead one’s relatives and villagers unhappy. If the death was outside, it was condemned to take the dead body into the house, to keep it over night, and to let a monk precede it in the actual cemetery. The violent death had to be buried without any condition. The dead body had to be buried at the same day when the death arose. Later, there was permission to bury the dead body in the next morning. Moreover, in the present time, there was the tradition of casting the egg to find for some meaning or some way of good practice.       The values of Chiang-Hian villagers’ belief of burial ground tradition were the good model derived from the ancestors. It was helpful to make the dead one’s relatives happy with keeping the tradition and culture from the ancient time for an eternity. It also made the communities harmonious to understand clearly the other people in order to present the gratefulness and kindness among all villagers in communities. The ethical value was also found in a way of life, fulfillment of merit, giving, morality, and development, etc.