Soldiers at Preah Vihear temple, like this one, above, have begun to implement old magic protection in case of more battles with Thailand.By Kong Sothanarith, VOA Khmer
Original report from Preah Vihear province
22 October 2008
The weapons and armor may be modern, but some of the oldest protections remain.
Cambodian soldiers have long employed magic to ward off bullets and landmines, inking their skin in intricate patterns, memorizing spells to help them in combat and investing themselves with protective scarves, belts and amulets.
Soldiers on the border say they have sought these old methods anew to protect them in potential battle with Thai adversaries, following a deadly outburst of violence last week at Preah Vihear temple.
Cambodian and Thai commanders are set to meet in Siem Reap Thursday, while the prime ministers of both countries are scheduled to meet in Beijing Friday, but soldiers said they have been outfitting themselves with old magic in case more fighting ensues.
Neung Buntheang, a Division 12 soldier whose neck was swathed in a blue protective scarf called a "yundra," said he sleeps with his AK-47 on a bamboo bed near the road that leads to the Preah Vihear temple escarpment.
His commander was killed in the Oct. 15 gun battles with Thai soldiers, he said, but he believes the yundra, will save his life.
"This yandra was given to me by a monk to protect me," he said. "We depend on these protectors."
Neung Buntheang and 20 other soldiers received their yundra Saturday night and are now stationed near the Keo Sikha Svara pagoda, 300 meters from Preah Vihear temple, which is at the center of the months-long border dispute and one of three sites of fighting Oct. 15.
"I have been in this profession for more than 20 years," said Kuoy San, another Division 12 soldier stationed at the pagoda. "I was in countless fighting, and I believe 100 percent that yandra and magic protection helps me."
Soldiers burn incense at a gun emplacement on the Preah Vihear temple escarpment, where the spirit of a legendary commander, Grandfather Dy, rests.
Maj. Men Ly, an officer in the Preah Vihear provincial military, said 80 percent of soldiers in the Cambodian armed forces employ magic protection, including yandra, blessed waste belts and kerchiefs with tracings of their parents' feet.
At Preah Vihear temple, soldiers pray to a spirit named Grandfather Dy, a former commander hundreds of years old who battled ancient Thai armies. Others make prayers to the one monk living at the Keo Sikha Svara pagoda, who blesses them with water and provides them protective amulets.
Ros Chantraboth, vice president of the Royal Cabinet and a historian, said the walls of Cambodian temples are etched with evidence of similar beliefs, encouraging soldiers to be brave in battle. But he noted that if a person must respect the disciplines involved in protective magic.
Soldiers also admit that the charms are not a substitute for traditional military strategies, tactics and defenses, such as trenches, as a form of protection.
"Even if we have magic protection," Neung Buntheang said, "if we are not careful, we will face danger."
Cambodian soldiers have long employed magic to ward off bullets and landmines, inking their skin in intricate patterns, memorizing spells to help them in combat and investing themselves with protective scarves, belts and amulets.
Soldiers on the border say they have sought these old methods anew to protect them in potential battle with Thai adversaries, following a deadly outburst of violence last week at Preah Vihear temple.
Cambodian and Thai commanders are set to meet in Siem Reap Thursday, while the prime ministers of both countries are scheduled to meet in Beijing Friday, but soldiers said they have been outfitting themselves with old magic in case more fighting ensues.
Neung Buntheang, a Division 12 soldier whose neck was swathed in a blue protective scarf called a "yundra," said he sleeps with his AK-47 on a bamboo bed near the road that leads to the Preah Vihear temple escarpment.
His commander was killed in the Oct. 15 gun battles with Thai soldiers, he said, but he believes the yundra, will save his life.
"This yandra was given to me by a monk to protect me," he said. "We depend on these protectors."
Neung Buntheang and 20 other soldiers received their yundra Saturday night and are now stationed near the Keo Sikha Svara pagoda, 300 meters from Preah Vihear temple, which is at the center of the months-long border dispute and one of three sites of fighting Oct. 15.
"I have been in this profession for more than 20 years," said Kuoy San, another Division 12 soldier stationed at the pagoda. "I was in countless fighting, and I believe 100 percent that yandra and magic protection helps me."
Soldiers burn incense at a gun emplacement on the Preah Vihear temple escarpment, where the spirit of a legendary commander, Grandfather Dy, rests.Maj. Men Ly, an officer in the Preah Vihear provincial military, said 80 percent of soldiers in the Cambodian armed forces employ magic protection, including yandra, blessed waste belts and kerchiefs with tracings of their parents' feet.
At Preah Vihear temple, soldiers pray to a spirit named Grandfather Dy, a former commander hundreds of years old who battled ancient Thai armies. Others make prayers to the one monk living at the Keo Sikha Svara pagoda, who blesses them with water and provides them protective amulets.
Ros Chantraboth, vice president of the Royal Cabinet and a historian, said the walls of Cambodian temples are etched with evidence of similar beliefs, encouraging soldiers to be brave in battle. But he noted that if a person must respect the disciplines involved in protective magic.
Soldiers also admit that the charms are not a substitute for traditional military strategies, tactics and defenses, such as trenches, as a form of protection.
"Even if we have magic protection," Neung Buntheang said, "if we are not careful, we will face danger."
9 comments:
We are the protector of Khmer land. We will conquer and tremble our Siem enemies down to the ground and rotten under the earth. Spirit of our great kings, leaders, grand-fathers, fathers, will protect us and curse our Siem enemies to eternity.
Seim will be bleed and Bangkok will be destroyed. Down you go the black heart siem. You will be curse for the rest of your next generation and on. You will be born with sad and sorrow that will never end.
May our ancestors spirit bless my fellow Khmer soldiers to victory.
We are the protector of Khmer land. We will conquer and tremble our Siem enemies down to the ground and rotten under the earth. Spirit of our great kings, leaders, grand-fathers, fathers, will protect us and curse our Siem enemies to eternity.
Seim will be bleed and Bangkok will be destroyed. Down you go the black heart siem. You will be curse for the rest of your next generation and on. You will be born with sad and sorrow that will never end.
May our ancestors spirit bless my fellow Khmer soldiers to victory.
Wow this Khmer soldier standing has all the good stuffs, grenades, AK, and B40s. Way to go!
Ohhhh its brilliant Cambodian made. Be brave brothers, May the powerful ancestors help those who are not afraid to protect motherland.
I am so amaze all our Khmer soldiers are not afraid to protect the Kingdom of Cambodia.
Thank you!!!
May the old warrior ancestors such as Neak Ta Khleang Mueng and Dambang Kra Nhoung congregate the underworld troops and protect our soldiers from the flanks and the rear.
Khmer soldiers always carry the "Mantras" and the "Yantras" with them into war since antiquity, the Thai have been so afraid of this Khmer superstition that they went around and spread the rumor that Khmer are bad in Black Magic such as sending a 5 meter rope into somebody stomac overnight. Let them know that it is correct and some of us are so good that we can dodge bullits in combats.
May the God bless and protect all Cambodian troops.
It's great that our brave soldiers turn to spiritual and magical protection in time of war. However, such a warrior's protective magic doesn't come without strict obligation. As our saying goes "Akum Phsom Ayuk" - Protective Magic + Life would save us from dangers. So, protective magic + military tactics would work well together and save our soldiers' lives.
That's what makes our Khmer magic different from Siamese and Chams. Our protective magic is for saving life, while their magic is used for dubious intentions. The rope or nail in-the-stomach magic is definitely from the Cham gurus, but of course the ignorant Siamese cannot tell the difference anyway.
Reminds me of back in the 1970's when Lon Nol and his officers and soldiers had their bullets, grenades and kramas blessed by monks and "magic spells". When it came time for them to go into battle against the North Vietnamese troops and Viet Cong guerrillas, the Khmer soldiers were mowed down like blades of grass being cut and tossed by a lawnmower.
What the RCAF actually need these days is upgraded military equipment, decent salaries and competent commanding officers. Magic spells and superstition IS NOT gonna win any battle alone.
Some of these soldiers already have the the battle experiences of the yester years, knowledge of their surroundings and strong Cambodian courage.
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