The Cultural Roots of Violence in Malay Southern Thailand: Comparative Mythology - Soul of Rice. Vol. 1 - The Tutelary Figures of Malay Political Heroism. Substantial anthropological work in Southern Thailand is the basis of this study of traditional myths, beliefs, and practices of the rice and fruit growing Malay people of the area. They are Muslims in whose lives traditional storytellers and mythical tutelary figures have a place. After a look at the persistence of epic literature and storytelling, many of the mythical tales are set out. In the appendix some of these are compared with tales told by the Moken marine nomads of the Thai peninsula. With linguistic notes, black-and-white photographs and bibliography.