Sinsai and Self-understanding: Practicing Skills and Learning Isan Local Wisdom through the Process of Making Contemporary Puppet Performance.

Abstract

                 This research article aims to explain the process of learning about“self-understanding” of participants (youth and students) through the process and activities of making a contemporary puppet performance titled “Sinsai Dek Thewda–Khonkaen University” as part of a work-in-progress of practice as research (PaR). The author leads participants from the division of dramatic arts, Khonkaen University (youths in urban areas) to study and learn “local wisdom” from Sinsai story, murals, Mor Lum (Isan singing), making basketry, and lifestyle in Nong No Tai community, Na Dun District, Maha Sarakham Province. The research used Isan Puppet Theatre “Hom Thong Sri Uppatham” as the main platform for learning Isan arts, culture, crafts, lifestyles and local wisdom. This process lasted seven months and two facilitators (Authors and Artist-in-residence) collaborated to design the process and activities in the course. Participants learned “Isan being” from practicing together with people, artists and philosophers in the community, as well as created contemporary puppet performance to communicate ideas/issues to the Isan people and society in general. The results found that activities in research process can help participants relearn Isan local wisdom through self-repeating and self-understanding processes to find their “Isan being”, as well as discover their reflective voices through the contemporary puppet performance that reflects Isan identities and spirits.