Khmer Studies

KHM: 102: Culture

Lecturer: In Sovanpol
Contact: 093 777511
 Origin of Khmer Land and People

 Archaeological Site Excavation

 Anthropology

 River Basin “Source of Civilization”

 Early Social Formation

 Briefly Historical Events in Cambodian History

Khmer is a race with glorious
civilization in the past

Ignorance/Carel
essness on
Khmer Identity

War is the cause of decline of Khmer

Civilization (Threaten) ??????
The attack of
foreign
civilization
 Origin of Khmer People
There is NO evidence when Khmer
people come to live in this region.

“Khmer and Mon are the two races on

Sovanphumi”
 Origin of Khmer Civilization
The Foundation of Southeast Asian Civilization
“Austronesian Civilization”

Mon-Khmer Race: the combination between the

Indonesian..? and Melanesian
Prehistory of Cambodia

6 Archaeological sites:

 Evidence of Excavation dating

back to 4200 B.C.
(Laang Spean-Northwestern Cambodia)

 Prek Chhlong (Memut- Kg. Cham

1500-500 BC)

 Evidence of Excavation in Samrong

Sen (100 or 200 B.C)
Prehistory of Cambodia

 Evidence of Excavation dating

back to 100-200 B.C.

(Anlong Phdao: about 30 km from

Samrong Sen)

 Phnom Kbal Romeas (3420 BC)

 Mlou Prey (Preah Vihea: close to 1st

Century AD)
 Anthropology
Human:
Mr. Aymonier: based on skull and skeleton
studies

“Human living in Samrong Sen is the ancestor of

Current Khmer Race”
 Anthropology
Way of Living:
 Hunting and gathering (arrow, bow)
 Fishing (hook)
 Living in a cave/group/ wooden house/ upper house
(flood/wild animals) (stone axe)
 Animal domestication
 Paddy growing (sickle)
 Clothes (reel or weaver’s shuttle)
 Origin of World Civilization
World Civilization was called
“River Valley Civilization or River Culture”

Why??????
River Basin is the source/origin of world civilization

- Tigris and Euphrates

- Nile
- Indus
- Yellow River
 Form of Polity (Ancient Khmer)
Int’l Trade
Politics
Beliefs

- People/Population
- Animism/Nakta
- Territory
- Matriarchy
- Buried dead body in jar
Polity/State - Government (control
of resources)
- Sovereignty
- Independence

 Sangkum/Society: the group of

people living on a territory with
occupation, belief, religion, culture, Culture - Animal domestication
tradition, custom, - Pull the water into the rice field
language……interaction. - Language/tradition/custom
 Elements of Modern State
- People/Population

- Territory
International - Government (control of
Recognition State resources)

- Sovereignty
Seat at United Nations
- Independence
Khmer Civilization Prior to Arrival of India

Based on Archaeological Sites

“Household utensils, instruments….to be found”

Khmer has its own foundation of civilization……..

 Khmer language (Khmer-Mon) # India is Indo-Europe
 Matriarchy # Patriarchy
 Animism (Nakta, Ancestor soul….)
 Art, dance, music….(Marriage) Preah Thong followed
Nagi……..that foreigner has to follow the locals
 War strategy, arrow, bow, boat, reel (weaver’s
shuttle)…….what we had
Khmer Civilization Prior to Arrival of India
Khmer has its own foundation of civilization……..
 Indian civilization is just a seed to sow on our land

 Khmers are NOT Indians

 Syncretic culture (Khmer and India)

Based on the above clarification

“Khmer had already had its own and strong civilization
before India brought its civilization to broadcast ”
 Indianization
Indian provided Cambodia:

 Language (Sanskrit & Pali)

 Pallava Script (South India)
 Brahmanism
 Buddhism
 Universal Kingship
 Politics
 Architecture
 Astronomy
Early Kingdoms: State and Wars
 Khmer Ancestors lived along the Mekong River
and the Southeastern part of the Menam River

 1st Century A.D., Khmer ancestor established the first state

called Nokor Kok Thlok, Mongkul Borey, Takeo Province

 The first King named Soma (Inscription), Liv Yi (Chinese

document) and Nagi (Neang Neak or Legend)

 Year 68 A.D. Brahman named Hun Tean (Chinese document),

Kaundinya (Inscription), and Preah Thong (Legend)