Three Worlds, One Laughter: Parallels in Folk Games of Thailand, China, And the Buryats of Inner Mongolia

Abstract

Background: This comparative study examines how folk games in Thailand, China, and Buryat communities of Inner Mongolia constitute vital intangible cultural heritage. Despite contrasting environments—tropical lowlands, temperate farmlands, and vast steppes—these societies display remarkable parallels in children’s play, emphasizing minimal resources, intergenerational learning, and symbolic references to local beliefs.
Purpose: The research aims to identify shared structural features (e.g., chase-and-tag formats, team coordination) and uncover how ecological factors, religious traditions, and moral frameworks shape each group’s folk games. In highlighting universal themes alongside culture-specific adaptations, the study underscores folk games’ enduring significance in moral education and communal identity.
Methods: An integrative, literature-based qualitative approach underpins the inquiry. Sources include peer-reviewed articles, UNESCO reports, historical chronicles, and dissertations. A comparative matrix categorizes game types—chasing, object-tossing, racing—and documents associated social, pedagogical, and symbolic dimensions. Content analysis and triangulation procedures ensure consistent and reliable findings.
Findings: Results reveal that while Thai water-centric games reflect Buddhist renewal rites, Confucian ideals guide Chinese amusements such as touhu, and pastoral-nomadic heritage informs Buryat ankle-bone flicking. All three traditions historically rely on older generations to transmit rules and values, yet modern pressures—urbanization, digital media, and standardized events—pose challenges to their continuity.
Conclusion: By illuminating both universal and localized facets of children’s folk games, this study advocates adaptive preservation strategies. It highlights the importance of balancing authentic community-led practice with evolving social contexts, ensuring that these living traditions remain vibrant across generations.