A Study of the Folktale NamTao Pung Toward the Creation of Applied Sculpture

Abstract

The folktale "NamTao Pung" has long been recognized as being connected to the creation myths of the Tai people. However, in the present day, scientific beliefs may lead to the study of semi-legendary folktales, national origins, and fantastical narratives being viewed as unreliable or lacking sufficient importance for academic purposes. The research project "A Study of the Folktale NamTao Pung Toward the Creation of Applied Sculpture" was initiated to explore the folktale NamTao Pung to uncover and understand its hidden meanings.  The interpretation of this folktale has been passed down through generations and continues to influence Thai cultural beliefs, attitudes, and perspectives. Although the tale is now relatively unknown to most people, its origins provide insights into shared beliefs and cultural connections across different regions and ethnic groups. These variations arise from differing oral traditions, adaptations, and additions, shaping both complete and fragmented versions of the tale. Moreover, the tale's integration with religious myths is evident in traces found in traditions and artistic expressions, each carrying distinct meanings in how they are narrated or interpreted within specific ethnic groups. These uncertainties require a comprehensive study, involving the collection and interpretation of hidden meanings within the narrative. The objective is to understand and systematically organize the NamTao Pung folktale in relation to the symbolic concepts embedded in the story both its literal and metaphorical meanings, ultimately transforming these interpretations into a communicable form. This study incorporates applied sculpture design as a method of conveying the NamTao Pung folktale's analyzed themes. The research involves comparing different versions and origins of the story, as well as examining smaller portions that appear within other folk narratives. It also investigates how the folktale has merged with Buddhist literature and traditional beliefs among various ethnic groups in specific areas. From the comparative study of this topic, it is possible to analyze the meanings derived from myths, particularly those related to the creation of the world, grand supernatural beliefs, and the representation of feminine folklore or the gourd (NamTau). The veneration of the "Mother" is a central theme in NamTau Pung, emphasizing beliefs in kinship and interconnectedness. This has led to the design of communication strategies aimed at helping the modern public understand and appreciate the core values of reverence for nature and the concept of birth from the maternal womb. These strategies seek to evoke feelings of warmth and safety while reviving

awareness of traditional beliefs through applied sculpture, transforming them into contemporary art forms in the present era.