Conservation of Yiap Cha Local Wisdom of Wat Koh Hong, Mueang District, Nakhon Sawan Province on the Basis of Participation

Abstract

This research article aimed to study the conservation of Yiap Cha local wisdom of Wat Koh Hong, Muang District, Nakhon Sawan Province on the basis of participation. It was a qualitative research. Data were collected by in-depth interviews with 20 key informants divided into 4 groups: villagers, local leaders, government officials and a group of local sages which was a group of indigenous healers, a group of people who had knowledge related to the wisdom of Yiap Cha and a group of experienced people related to the Yiap Cha wisdom from Wat Koh Hong, Nakhon Sawan Province. Data were analyzed by in-depth interviews and participant observation with 20 key informants divided into 4 groups: villagers, local leaders, and villagers. government officials and a group of local sages which was a group of indigenous healers, a group of people who had knowledge related to the wisdom of Yiap Cha and a group of experienced people. Content analysis was conducted. The results of the research revealed that 1) in terms of economy, there were enterprises in the community. Local sages and most people tended to think of knowledge or wisdom as knowledge Inherited from ancestors. It was caused by the process of learning, adapting through accumulated experiences, developing and inheriting to generate income either as the main income or extra income in some families; 2) in the social aspect, local government organizations had formulated plans, policies and supporting projects to promote Yiap Cha wisdom to remain with the community a long with supporting the budget to build a multi-purpose building for the treatment of Yiap Cha for community sages and those who came to use the service. Wat Koh Hong had supported basic utilities; 3) in terms of health, Takhian Luean Health Promoting Hospital had come to play a role in educating the local sages who worked Yiap Cha on keeping clean and orderliness; and 4) in the aspect of environment, Yiap Cha local wisdom had made local people interested in applying medicinal plants for healing purposes. It was considered to live in harmony with the environment. Herbs grown at home can be used to make medicines and can also generate income. As a result, many families in the community had expanded the area for planting medicinal plants.