Folklore, Restoration of Social Capital and Community Culture

This is a qualitative research study using participatory action research and aimed to (1) Study the value and meaning of folklore in current local context, (2) study the correlation between folklore structure and northeastern social structure, and (3) promote the use of folklore as social capital for the formation of child learning process. The sample group consisted of students and teachers, the elderly, and parents totaling 102 persons. Among the people in the sample group were 52 students from Class 1 (Grade 1-3) from Ban Kham Sang Chang School, Namkham Sub-district, Thai Charoen District, Yasothon Province, and teachers and parents of the students in the community totaling 50 persons. The research findings revealed that folklore helped in creating community space for people in the community to meet and interact with each other. The elderly, who were the key social capital of the community, were able to play their valuable roles once again, which brought happiness to the community. Children and young people learnt about the history of the community, which was their root, through the storytelling activity and were able to change their ways of thinking and behaviors from listening to these stories. Missing traditions and playing activity were restored, resulting in cooperation in performing activities of the community. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd.