Khmer ancient society

1. University of Cambodia
L E C T U R E D B Y:
M U T S O M O E U N , M . E D
KHM 140: Khmer Culture

2. Khmer Language and Literature
 Khmer Language existed since the existence of
Khmer people (before 1st century AD)
 Related to language family of Khmer-Mon;
language of Austro-Asian/ South Asian
 Influenced by Sanskrit and Pali languages (religion
and culture from India)

3. Evolution of Khmer Language
 Three stages of Khmer Language Evolution:
Ancient Khmer Language (earlier to 14th AD)
Middle age of Khmer Language (15th -19th AD)
Present Khmer Language (19th – up to now)
The most evolutional Khmer language is from the
1863s (French protectorate - 1953)

4. Ancient Khmer Inscription

5. Evolution of Khmer Language
 In French protectorate, Khmer language was less
attention and maintained in Buddhist monasteries
 French language was officially used instead of
Khmer language and even forced local people to
learn this new language
 Sanskrit flown into Khmer through religions:
Brahmanism, Mahayana & Theravada Buddhism
 Pali language flown into Khmer through Theravada
Buddhism (Pali textbooks in late/ early 14th AD)

6. Khmer Ancient Inscription
 Before Angkor and During Angkor Period:
Inscription at Vocanh (Nhatrang-VN: 2nd AD)
Inscription at Bramlaveng temple (VN: 6-8th AD)
Inscription at Taprom temple (Bati- Takeo: 6-8th
AD)
Inscription at Sambor (Kratie: 7th AD)
Inscription atTakeam temple (Siem Reap: 8th AD)
Inscription at Kondolderm temple ( reign of king
Indra Varman 1: 877-889 C.E)

7. Khmer Ancient Script

8. Khmer Ancient Inscription
Inscription at Bayong mountain (reign of king
Yaso Varman: 889- 900 C.E)
Inscription at Kampues (reign of king Reachendra
Varman: 944- 968 C.E)
Inscription at Khna temple (reign of king Sorya
Varman 1: 1002- 1050 C.E)
Inscription at Tor temple (reign of king Jaya
Varman 7: 1181- 1218 C.E)
Inscription at Phimean Akas temple (by Indratevi-
reign of king Jaya Varman 7: 1181- 1218)

9. Khmer before and in French Protectorate
 Khmer literature was written in sacred palm leave
 Khmer culture, traditions, and literature were strongly
nominated by French influence (1863-1953)
 Buddhist monasteries were the first place to conserve
Khmer culture, traditions, and language/ literature
(national identity)
 Buddhist Institute was also the national document-
sites where maintained and produced documents (by
Khmer scholars both monks and lay people)

10. Khmer Sacred Palm Leave

11. Buddhist Institute
 A council of Buddhist Tripitaka was formed in 1929
 Buddhist Institute translated the Buddhist textbook/
tripitaka (main canons) with Khmer on right and
Pali language on left side in 1931
 39 years of translation was done and first published
in 1968 with the total copies of 110 books, which
each consists of at least 400 pages
 13 books is about Vinaya (rule/discipline), 64 books
about Sutra, and 33 books about Aphidahamma

12. Khmer Sacred Palm Leave

13. Education in 16th -19th AD in Pagodas
 Boys could study in pagodas and teachers were monks,
while royal women/ girls could study in the royal palace
 Adult girls (age of puberty) took in-house instruction/
Chol Mlub (3- 6 months)
 Boys at the age of 10-12 years old went to study about:
 Writing & reading alphabet (literature)
 Singing Khmer poem
 Numeracy
 Buddhist doctrines
 Vocational skills

14. Learning in Pagoda

15. Education in 16th -19th AD in Pagodas
 Study literature was divided into 4 steps:
 Writing : used a hand board and chalk (usually sit on
floor/ ground without table)
 Reading Sastra Chbab: (written-sacred leave) of code
of conduct with simple phrase and sentence
 Reading Sastra Lbaeng: (written in poem phrase)
describing the code of conduct, and story...
 Reading Sastra Tes: (written simple phrase, poem and
mixed with both/kamrong keo) describing as Dhamma
talk with tale of Buddha’s teaching and life...

17. Education in 16th -19th AD in Pagodas
 Vocational skills for boys:
carpenter , drawing, sculpture, and painting.....
house building.....
traditional treatment/ medical healing and magic,
horoscope, fortune teller.....
 Vocational skills for girls:
weaving, sewing.......
making lantern, incense, candle....

18. Khmer Novel Literature
 Novel literature is seek beauty, truth, and happiness
which bases on individual perceptions:
Praying/ pay worship to God (s)
Finding properties
Not depends on praying to God or having much
money but society prosperity, harmony, and
development

19. Khmer Novel Literature
 Types of Literature:
 Indication: describing about animals, air, water, land,
things, good deeds, bad deeds.....
 Novel: describing about conflicts of human beings, gods,
sentiment, sadness, happiness....
 Drama: performing as stories to make picture in mind and
convey sadness or happiness to the audiences....
 Instruction: describing about proverb, education, slogan...
 Concept: describing about the personal understanding or
idea of the author to explain, analyze, and criticize......

20. Questions & Answers