The Cambodian province of Pursat

Morizon, René; Vreeland, Herbert Harold

Book

The Cambodian province of Pursat

Human Relations Area Files • New Haven • Published In 1956 • Pages:

By: Morizon, René, Vreeland, Herbert Harold.

Abstract
This is a detailed geographic study of a single Cambodian province. The province of Pursat was chosen because of its importance in earlier Khmer history as well as of its geographic unity. Morizon draws on his own explorations to fill out the sparse literature on this relatively unknown and undeveloped province. The first section is a full resume of physical geography and is followed by a general survey of the ethnic populations, their settlement pattern and their social and economic interrelations. The third section is devoted to a thorough study of resources and patterns of exploitation thereof, with interesting information on techniques of some of the occupations and ethnic divisions of labor. The final section is a review of the French administration and economic management of the Province of Pursat and of Cambodia as a whole; it is largely very favorable to the French, but some suggestions for improvement are made and there is a full and useful analysis of the budget and finances of government. There follow eleven appendices ranging from demographic and climatic statistics, through texts of legends, monuments and songs (Laotian), to a list of pagoda schools and a Khmer geographic vocabulary. Finally there are eleven miscellaneous plates and a general map.

History

Provinces

Ethnic stratification

Prophets and ascetics

Ritual

Religious and educational structures

Organized ceremonial

Religious denominations

Government regulation

Prayers and sacrifices

Burial practices and funerals

Cereal agriculture