Metadata Schema for Folktales in the Mekong River Basin
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Research Objectives
3. Method and Results
3.1. Information Analysis
3.1.1. Content
- (1)
- The types of folktale can be grouped into eight categories, based on content:
- Novel and romantic tales are stories about love; in most of these, love must overcome obstacles and it leaves traces in various locations. Examples include The Legend of Khun Nang Non, Ma Mia, and Noi Jai Ya (a Lanna tale);
- Hero tales are stories about battles, either fictional or based on true stories. The protagonist is a hero, who has an adventure to take back land, a lover, or magical items. Sin Sai (an Isan tale) is one example;
- Explanatory tales are stories about the history or origins of natural things, such as particular animals or places. They refer to people or places that actually existed or are believed to have existed. The tale explains how the person, place, or tradition was conceived. Examples include The Legend of Nong Haan (Sakhon Nakhon province; Mae Mai Island (Chiang Saen district, Chiang Rai); Sa Khu Lu Giant (The origin of the Mekong river); and The Legend of Phaya Khon Khak, which explains the origins of the rocket festival of Isan;
- Animal tales are stories in which the main characters are anthropomorphic animals. One example is The Cunning Rabbit (Cambodia);
- Religious tales are based on the history of local religions, especially Buddhism. The content involves events and stories related to religion;
- Fairytales are stories about magical power, miracles, or the supernatural. Often, the main characters have magical power or magical weapons. Examples include Sin Sai and Campa Si Ton (Laos);
- Jests and jokes are stories about things that would not happen in reality but provide entertainment. Examples include The Blind and the Deaf (Cambodia) and Xieng Mieng (Thailand);
- Other types of tales, such as chain and riddle tales.
- (2)
- Morals are ethical teachings that appear within the tales. They inspire audiences or readers or teach people what they ought to do. Examples include honesty, loyalty, mercy, and forfeit;
- (3)
- Beliefs are the firm thoughts that something is true, often based on religions or superstition. Beliefs appear in folktales, for example, a belief in ghosts and the afterlife appears in Song Phi, Song Phrai, or The Rice Sugarcane Farmer of the Tai Lue. This story affirms traditions related to meritorious behavior; food and things are offered to express love and the desire to send the spirits of the dead onto the next life or to heaven. Examples include the Tan Khun Khao ceremony of the Tai Lue people [32];
- (4)
- Motif can be defined as the smallest element in a folktale having the power to persist in tradition. In order to have this power, it must have something unusual and striking about it. Most motifs fall into three categories: Actors, objects or behaviors of the actors, and place or events in the tales [33] (Stith Thompson, 1977).
3.1.2. Context
- (1)
- Creators or different types of tale disseminators. They can be storytellers, monks, other individuals, or organizations that compile and disseminate the tales in different forms;
- (2)
- The title of the tale which may be different based on the languages or areas of origins;
- (3)
- Characters are actors in the tale; they keep folkloric tale going, causing stories and situations to happen. They can be divided into main characters and supporting characters. Examples include the Thao Kumphra Phi Noi (Isan folktale), Thailand and the Frog Princess (Burmese folktale), respectively;
- (4)
- Places are the locations or the scenes that exist within the tales. They can be fictional places, such as the Himmapan Forest, or real ones like Nong Han in the tale of Pha Daeng Nang Ai;
- (5)
- Ethnic groups in tales can be specific to one Mekong Regional tribe or locality. Most tale content treats the legends or history of an ethnic group. For example, the Dao Khon Phi of the Tai Lue group or the Legend of Phra Chao Ok Buad treat the origins of the Tai Lue people, who were there when the one God was ordained;
- (6)
- Languages refers to the various languages used to record and pass down folktales. The language can be a national language, such as Thai, Lao, or Vietnamese or the local language of an ethnic group, such as the Tai Lue language;
- (7)
- Countries refer to the countries in which the folktale originated or was disseminated;
- (8)
- Relations describe the folktale relationship in the region. Folktales disseminated within the countries of the Mekong Region are often shared common cultures or stories among them. Consequently, some stories share similar characters, places, beliefs, or magical items. Between countries, the only difference may be the names of those characters or items, which change to suit the local context or geography. For example, the Tale of Campa Si Ton is found in both Laos and the northeastern region of Thailand. Other tales, such as Twelve Headed Lanka of Xishuangbanna or an adaptation of Ramayana, show the clear influence of India;
- (9)
- Origin is the location where the tale was originally found and taken to be translated and disseminated in a book, journal, database, or video clip published on the Internet.
3.1.3. Structure
- (1)
- A verbal language form is disseminated through language, either spoken or written, which can be passed down across generations, via storytelling, sermons, or inscriptions on tablets, codices, or palm leaves; it also includes books and modern electronic forms and brochures;
- (2)
- A nonverbal language form is disseminated by other means of communication, without the use of text or word of mouth. Examples include objects, statues, and sculptures;
- (3)
- A mixed form combines both verbal and nonverbal language forms, as in the case of a traditional performance or dance.
3.2. Identification of Metadata Requirements
3.2.1. Work
3.2.2. Expression
3.2.3. Manifestation
3.2.4. Items
3.3. Metadata Schema Development
3.4. Service System Development and Metadata Evaluation
4. Discussion
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Element 1 | ||
---|---|---|
Name | Identifier. | |
Definition | An identifier code for each folktale stored in the system, use the Roman alphabet, mixed with integral numbers. And URI can also be applied as an identifier for folktale located on the Internet. | |
Format | Two capital letters (Roman alphabet), and four Arabic numbers. | |
Example | TH0001 (For Thai folktale, storage record no. 1). | |
Note | Identifier has two sub-elements: Sub-element 1: For folktales in the database collection. Use two capital letters (Roman alphabet) to form the country code, as signed by ISCO2L. Thailand = TH Cambodia = KH Lao = LA Vietnam = VN Myanmar = MM China = CN Four Arabic numbers indicate the order of storage records. | |
Sub element 2: Use URI syntax URI = scheme ":" ["//" authority] path ["?" query] ["#" fragment] | ||
Element 2 | ||
Name | Title | |
Definition | Title of a folktale that appeared in the information object | |
Format | Text as it appeared in the information object, e.g., the title page of a book | |
Example | พญาคันคาก (Praya Kan Kak); ผาแดง นางไอ่ (Pa Daen Nang Ai) | |
Note | Title in the original language | |
2.1 The title refers to the title in the original language of the folktale. | ||
2.2 The parallel title is the title translated into English | ||
2.3 The uniform/alternative title is any other title that is generally known | ||
Element 3 | ||
Name | Creator | |
Definition | Individual or corporate body who created or published the folktale. | |
Format | Text | |
Example | อสิธารา (Asithara) | |
Note | For Thai creators, use “first name and last name” as indicated in the RDA standards. For foreign creators, use “last name, first name.” For an anonymous creator, record its appearance | |
Element 4 | ||
Name | Contributor | |
Definition | Individual or corporate body that supported the folktale’s collection and publication | |
Format | Text | |
Example | สำนักส่งเสริมวัฒนธรรม มหาวิทยาลัยเชียงใหม่ (Cultural Promotion Office, Chiang Mai University) | |
Note | Supporter of the folktale’s collection and publication, e.g., database development, publishing, printing | |
Element 5 | ||
Name | Description | |
Name | Short summary of the folktale story | |
Definition | Text | |
Format | Legend of the origins of Widow Island (Kao Mae Mai) in Chiang Saen District, Chiang Rai Province. In the King Maha Chai Chana period, people caught a taro eel in the Kok river and gave a piece to everyone except one widow. At night there was an earthquake, and all the houses were destroyed except for the widow’s house. Since then, the widow’s house has been called “Widow Island,” and the town has been called “Swamp town” (Vieng Nong Lom) | |
Example | - | |
Note | - | |
Element 6 | ||
Name | Keyword | |
Definition | Words or phrases that represent the key content of folktale, which can involve the concept, object, event, place, person, corporate body, or name in the folktale | |
Format | Text | |
Example | เกาะแม่หม้าย (Widow island); พระเจ้าติโลกราช (King Tilokaraj). | |
Note | - | |
Element 7 | ||
Name | Character | |
Definition | Name of a character in the folktale | |
Format | Text | |
Example | เซี่ยงเมี่ยง (Siang Miang); เซี่ยงเหมี้ยง (Siang Miang); นางคำกลอง (Nang Kham Klong); ปลาไหลเผือก (Pla Lai Phuek). | |
Note | The name of a character can be recorded in any language used in the folktale. | |
Element 8 | ||
Name | Moral. | |
Definition | Teaching words or statements in the folktale. | |
Format | Text. | |
Example | ความซื่อสัตย์ (Honesty); ความภักดี (Loyalty). | |
Note | Teaching words or statements found in the folktale. | |
Element 9 | ||
Name | Ethnic group. | |
Definition | Ethnic group(s) found in the folktale. | |
Format | Text. | |
Example | ไทลื้อ (Tai Lue); กะเหรี่ยง (Karen). | |
Note | More than one ethnic group can be recorded—in the Thai language or a dialect, or in English (if appropriate). | |
Element 10 | ||
Name | Motif | |
Definition | A dominant characteristic found in a behavior, story, or object in the folktale | |
Format | Text | |
Example | ฉลาดแกมโกง (Cunning) | |
Note | 10.1 Behavior refers to the behavior of the main character, whether positive or negative; 10.2 Story refers to a scene or main event in the folktale, e.g., a war or festival; 10.3 Object refers to any object found in the folktale, e.g., a weapon or magic tool. | |
Element 11 | ||
Name | Place | |
Definition | Geographical name of place or scene found in the folktale | |
Format | Text | |
Example | ป่าหิมพานต์ (Himmapan Forest); หนองหาน (Nong han); เชียงรุ่ง (Chiang Rung); แม่น้ำกก (Kok River). | |
Note | Geographical names can be real or imaginary names | |
Element 12 | ||
Name | Relation | |
Definition | Relation with other folktale(s) | |
Format | Text | |
Example | Relation.hasVersion ศรีธนญชัย (Sri Thanonchai) | |
Note | Extension of relation (cited from DCMI) | |
hasVersion | has another version. | |
isPartOf | is part of a series. | |
HasPart | forms a part of another series. | |
isFormatOf | has the same content as another folktale | |
hasFormat | has the same content as another format | |
isRelationOf | has content related to another folktale | |
Element 13 | ||
Name | Country | |
Definition | Country in which the folktale originated or was produced or published | |
Format | Two-letter country code (Roman alphabet), assigned by ISO2L | |
Example | Text | |
Note | Cambodia = KH | Myanmar = MM |
China = CN | Thailand = TH | |
Laos = LA | Vietnam = VN | |
Element 14 | ||
Name | Language | |
Definition | Language of the folktale content | |
Format | Two-letter country code (Roman alphabet), assigned by ISO2L | |
Example | Text | |
Note | Thai = TH Cambodian = KH Lao = LA Vietnamese = VN Myanmar = MM Chinese = CN | |
Element 15 | ||
Name | Medium | |
Definition | Physical format of the media or object used to record or transfer the folktale content | |
Format | Apply MIME type to describe the physical format | |
Example | application/hta audio/mpeg | |
Note | ||
Element 16 | ||
Name | Source | |
Definition | Source of the folktale; this can be the ISBN of a book or the URI of a website | |
Format | Text or | |
Example | Book: ISBN Website: URI | |
Note | ||
Element 17 | ||
Name | Date | |
Definition | Date of publication or production in A.D. | |
Format | YYYY-MM | |
Example | 2020-10 | |
Note | - | |
Element 18 | ||
Name | Rights | |
Definition | Details of copyright or rights for production, reproduction, or publication | |
Format | Text | |
Example | สำนักส่งเสริมวัฒนธรรม มหาวิทยาลัยเชียงใหม่ (Cultural Promotion Office, Chiang Mai University) | |
Note |
Evaluation Items | S.D. | |
---|---|---|
| 4.75 | 0.083 |
Data covers all necessary elements of the folktale as an information object. | 4.75 | 0.463 |
Data can comprehensively describe the folktale. | 4.63 | 0.518 |
Data elements can describe any types and formats of the folktale. | 4.88 | 0.354 |
| 4.76 | 0.056 |
The name of each data element is accurate and appropriated. | 4.88 | 0.354 |
Definition of each data element is clear and accurate. | 4.75 | 0.463 |
Symbols or abbreviations used in the metadata are easy to understand and accurate. | 4.75 | 0.463 |
| 4.67 | 0.278 |
The use of metadata has helped search for information on folktale that meet the needs. | 4.88 | 0.354 |
Search options are varied, provide several access to the folktale. | 4.88 | 0.354 |
Search filters are sufficient and useful. | 4.25 | 0.707 |
| 4.83 | 0.111 |
The effectiveness of the search provides the results that conform to the expectation. | 4.75 | 0.463 |
Metadata can provide benefits for the study of folktale. | 4.75 | 0.463 |
The system is friendly and easy to use. | 5.00 | 0.000 |
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Share and Cite
Kwiecien, K.; Chansanam, W.; Supnithi, T.; Chitiyaphol, J.; Tuamsuk, K. Metadata Schema for Folktales in the Mekong River Basin. Informatics 2021, 8, 82. https://doi.org/10.3390/informatics8040082
Kwiecien K, Chansanam W, Supnithi T, Chitiyaphol J, Tuamsuk K. Metadata Schema for Folktales in the Mekong River Basin. Informatics. 2021; 8(4):82. https://doi.org/10.3390/informatics8040082
Chicago/Turabian StyleKwiecien, Kanyarat, Wirapong Chansanam, Thepchai Supnithi, Jaturong Chitiyaphol, and Kulthida Tuamsuk. 2021. "Metadata Schema for Folktales in the Mekong River Basin" Informatics 8, no. 4: 82. https://doi.org/10.3390/informatics8040082