aaa. emaein 10TAMER 0.0: sco, he OUI 10 PORN ‘on Sourueast ASIA Sues cont ti and we Geratd Cannon Hickey 1 ‘rd healing David G. Marr 26 ‘we potaies de tin Gog NguyBn Tro Hain 51 “pido fromthe of aot a mstien John S. Guy 92 ‘world of gute and spirit Muo-Tam Ho Tai 113 ‘he Bide Anonymous 146 Damage to a poet 5 Te tau bu Ang Phuting 155 ore Shuts on Mae ch8 Lan Vien 161 2 day Bike any othr dy Nguyda Ong Gide 163 he 2cng of Sassen John B, Broadus 187 Notes on contributors 26 Index to The Vietnam Forum 1 - 10 236 Senior Editors J.,Ne Molter Executive Editors Hilnh Sanh ThOngYALE SOUTHEAST ASIA STUDIES Jawes C. Scott, Oirectar 139M 0735-3855 Senior Edltort 0. W, Wolters Executive Editors Huynh Sanh Tang Business Managers Me Kay Mansfeld lest Coast Representatives Nguyen MOng Gide Please ssteces 211 corretpendance to: ACINOWLEDGPENT The putlicution of this issue of THE VIETHAN FOR Gs imide possible. by continued auppoat from the Nensy Luce Feundetion whose inétiag grant helped to fuunch the Yate Southeast Asian Refugee Project ‘in 1981. THE VIETNAMESE VILLAGE THROUGH TIME AND WAR Gerald Cannon Hickey If te ("he la of the Kang yields to village cistan") is lon 87 oll Vietmoo. Tn mary Fespects st chracterions the village in Vistam aa a oelfcon tained mgs comity, nlosly guring its sy of Tifera little world tat Is’ atone an dioregaris CF me stsns) he cide world, Te alao mgt how the village ‘in Vetmam is mone than a collection of mes or faescns, bic posses a stats tht mist be reckcna! sath one say oF She ther Oy the rulers and the state alike. Te is igortart tome tht nisl the French cola period ere wre real cities in Vito, ar maiiot tons vere mt sizable. Wel Into the tentieth cenkary, ower 6B percent ofthe population Lived in fal vilages ware the tale toy of fe dng little over herds of yours. Village life aa in my respects the esamnce of raitieral Vietameae foley. The lang "avrce sutnerd” (ir tien) that betwen the tenth an nietzench centuries tonk the Vietsmese om tilt Grigio sloe in Ue Red River delta tothe Marg River delta reall in args In the sober rural ciety. Ao they moved Sorta, the settlers hot to aloe nev ecological setirgs, {oa they accincred the Yery éffere Gm a Ker cultures ‘Wale his migration woo aking Pee, the Frozh const, cee of the met pring evets in Vietonae history, exrure- Te euuirg colonial policies fa profound effec, xe s‘on the frontier villages of the Mekong River delta than on the “eng-established villages of the Ral Riser delta, Novathetanting all of these disruptions, Viewmose village society mange fo retain ite basic cultural beliefs, practices, ond dnstitir Hione—the esceres of Ita identicy. Further testimny to the village's strength and resilience vas its auccessful weathering ‘of the Indochine bar ard the Vietm War. The king i long ene, French colonialism is a thing of the fast, national regines hve risen and fallen, end vers fave ravaged the land—t the castons oF the village have endured. ‘THE TRADITIONAL, VILLAGE Vietnamese calture appeared sn the midlands of the Red River delta sme four cr five thossnd years ago, centered on the territory wich now contains the tains of Pai Thy and Vige Tet. Over the centuries the canbined effects of a recefing sea atl alluvial build-up exendel and clemted the Ral River dele, fand the Vietnamse population—aided by improved tecbealogy— follow the receding shoreline, transforming. the face of the delta a9 they abied, In the first lean B,C, the balance ff population shifted fron the foothills and midlands into the Canter of the delta proper. AS wolland axl md boca village lawl Ficefields, the population ‘centimed to increase, and the Vietrerese became mre ant mre dependent on agriculture to sstain thear society. ‘The landscape sn which the tradition! Vietmamese vey of Life was set stated of a vast ca of ply fields, eterally saneing fron brow to gros to gold ard to brown again in a timeless snascnal cycle of renal. Tn the midst of these maddy fields nestled the village, relatively compact. sn ghysically isolated from other villages by the expenses of paldies. Each setlemnt was surrounded by 9 dense benboo Hedge, and entrance as gained thrown to gates, one of whch wos reserved exclu ‘Siely for residents. The min gate, the "haa of the village, sas uunlly graced by a slightly curved tile roof, under wAich sigh paintad in brightly colored Qinese curactors amunced the ‘ame of the village, The condition and elaboraternes of the gate, reflecting the prosperity ard self-imge of the cam minity, incane an emblen of corporate self-respect, so it ws Vital to keep i freshly painted and free of mss, Imediately Target distinctive balding standing off by itself. ‘This vas tie dich, the heart of the troitionl village, at once the ritual octer and ton hall, the focal pint fore eoli= lo the social ent policiealcrgnization, an the Live pottemneall that compocel the fabric and pieit of Ue tri eral ste THE DINIITS RELIGIOUS, SOCIAL AND POLITICAL FUNCTIONS Won a mw cttlonent became self-atficient it achieve! tbe Gificat status of a af (vlog) by reaciving fom the feng @ nme gpd ay alice desigating the Gaxdian Spirit of tbe vin Miah tabg (@ derkwtien of the Gurese vere for "eity gol). The spirits taiiticmlly vere cect fom Vetraneae history ot ayeology. For ies part, te village i fopectal to cate a ib, of comral umply as retary for the royal decamet nanirg. the gurdian spit. In effect, St wae the syatolic bod between the village end the kingthe ‘mol of vlageship. o> to speak "he inh also was the uetuay sere prescribe ritusls heooring the guardian spirie of Ue village vere hal, tut hises not a cult apart fram other religious beliefe and peactioes. Rather, this cult reflected the syucretic system of ritual end lief” Gat ha developed over the centuries in Vietnamese rural society. During the leag period of Chines rule, Confucian te- Lief a practices vere systertically inerodwed into Viet se culture, Blihise and Tsoian also were brought ny although fgnerally in a less systenatic manor. ‘vie time the Chinese religions’ began tw blend with each uber and kath surviving elements of pre-Sinitic animism. In trafitionl sccioty the villagers did not profess any particular faith, lnstend, they shel certain Yesie orientations tarts the swperstura, incluting a fear of ghosts ant etl spirits, a lelief in astrology and gency, the poctice of stamnisee faring, and the vonaration of ancestors, The altars in the dint ath’ their smbolic accaitremnt: offerings of soso, flesers, food ant alec; the gergs; kowawing—vere also asccciated with Buddhist jugatas, with the Ge of te Ancestors practiced {2 heme, and kth the myriod shrines foun Unrowhot the vil Tages This one religier ss everybore, an cmpresent thing veloping all of ay individual's daily acts and permating fewry social, political an cconmnic snstituticn in village Society : “Te thsical layout of the dinh was pscrited by tradition. 1 its dark recess ins 9 sjecial sawetinry where the ropal edict fuming the guardian spirit mae carefully preserved, The aanctunry ves only ojena cn igpertantcerenmnial cccasions, although caretaker would enter dally to burn Joss seicks en the spirits altar. Within the sanctuary, the gundlan spirit ss often repcesent= fl by @ statue, tut mre exmenly by @ swall dragan Uvore or 2 plece of rad’ or gold cloth bearing a dragon mit. Tn front OC the repreamtation of the spirit vould be a large altar laden With elaborate ritual vespany mde of bronze, Te ans upon this lar that the rvered royal alict vas kept’ in a red bot of Tetel leaves “and areca nuts, and other offerings. To either Sido of the altar vere recesses called the inner chabers. The sitar and these chunbers canprised the “immer” or "upper" dla, The reminler of the interior sas the "outer" or "lowe" lah, The sails of the cuter dnb eve Lined sath various minor altars ilicsted to Followers of swbordinates of the guardian spirit, local heroes, ‘Tioist or Budthist cult figures, or prominent tenefactors of the village. ‘The outer dint wa ojen to the pubic for feasting during rituals honoring the gunntisn spirit, and also for village meetings or such activities ae tax collection. Toughout the lyr year the village eeabers gathered often for rituals at the din, fut particigation inficated the sodivid uual's relative rank in the highly structured society. In my respects, the set of relationships expressed in the ritinls reflected village solidarity, The anal round of rituals ses performs by the comunity, as 2 comity, for the benefit fof the comity as a ubole, The syniols of the rituals took tm mening wien they vere related tp the shared values, needs sol comers of village society. These ceremenial activities Surroding the Oult of the Guardian Spirit of the Village sym tolizsd the depenience of all mentors of the comity me jist cn coe amother but also on posrful external forcee—natualy ‘Syemtural and social—vhich cculd appropriately te influenced nly ty the collective, not by individ ‘SOCIAL STRUCTURE In the village statue system there was first ond focemst a durp distinction mie between those sho were members of the village (al He). sted in the cenaus ond tax rolls, ot raubers (pgoai efch). Yost ale abults in the village vere feniers, but mnbership as by mo mans hai for the asking, Geiteria for smaberchip varied, but tere ine a strong tendency {tb restrict eligibility to those bam and browht up within the village. In sone villages 1 was eceseary to own land within te village confines, ands others, chee generations of re idence vere required, Strictly spacing, women were rot meters of the village. A woman's status, reficetal in the soy people treated her, depended upon har egey har repueaticn ard es Eoly Twekgroul.' ‘The daughcer of a high-ranking man, for” exemple, auld be stoorded delerapce as a sign af vespoct for her father, ‘Nema took her busbend"s sat. ‘he village hierarchy associated wath the Cult of ee Guardian Spirit ond the dint wns me a bureacratic or adalnsstrative ‘tyanization. Village notables vere an elite group sho dominatat village affairs, but they were not an eaccutive oF an adn Istratave body por 2. Tre Caurcil of Htcbles, ‘The upper strata of village socity sere lawne callectively as the Ban KP Myc, "Council of Nota bles", on also as the Afi TY Wp, "Aswmbly of Literati". ess “illutrions designation vas guin vido, "the officials". Within the rake of the notables, there vere three basic sub fivisions reflecting wee general status levels. ‘The highest Novel of rare and prestige lelongs to Una io tl achieved ‘sme rank ce title arte by the royal curt; those men ta msl inportant examination’ at’ the rational level or held yermenent rank in the rational civil or aiitary burescracy. ‘he second level consisted of map xo tnd achieved come rank 4n the village or the canton (tre), composed of several vil- ages, abether curent ar former officials. ‘This lov) also inelved re henorary positions which cauld be purchased cut ight or asad for outstanding generosity taward of service to the village. This usnlly scant buying things for ve dist fr micing substantial contributions for publi, village-sponsored events, Te third level censistad of these vio might be called ‘Seolenic also-rans, noun as "holars” oe "eantidates. Tn tat villages this scant’ tat they hod masa compeitive ox ‘Shiniiens at the more molest. provincial Level Tirectly beneth the notables in status’ vere the village elders, tise males above 50 (saetines 55) years of age. With the attalment of this status came a-mirked Sncrease 1m honor, privilege one influsnce. Upon reaching the ago of 60, village esters sowed Snto a still hier statis, 1 nhid. Above than tes a still higher status Wich was itzelf vide imo four tore levels determined by relative age, Beneath the eléers came full village rmmbers betioan the ages of 18 (or 16 or 20) and 50 (or 55). The lowest level wae tint of the role yous of ‘he village ronging fos six or seven to 18 or a9 years of age in eal fulfiTNed all bership requireents and were registered fon the village rolls but were not yet old eraugh to be fully prt ieipating seers. AIL of these villogers participated in the rituals hesaring ‘he juinlion spirit of the village an the first and fifteenth ‘hy of every Turar empath, cn days merking a chenge from one ‘soe t) another, on the eve of the lunar ‘naw yonry on the Trion of tho Kitchen God's (Ilo Qala) ascent to heen ct the twoty-third doy of the tuelfth lunar senth, apd on certain ther sje al Holidays, varying from village to village according to local easton, Daring the year eoch village wuld five several enjor ritunls| of rest slemity hoveriog the guniian spirit, The night ve ays markirg the teeing of fall, the start of sping, tp birthday or death amiversnry of the gunniion spirit, the cccasion of the farse rice plating of first harvest. Often there wuld be one expecially deportane ritual merifice at Wich sev enters would be formally aititted into the village. ie thoe ritunls the seating ont the kawtowing order before te min altar reflectel the rercng of the participants, ‘Afterall. important. serifices a high feast was held ot the cater dish shere the seating arrangements and distribution ‘of fartions were prescrited to the smllest detail in accordance ith relative gretien in the village hierarchy. Village genes arjetly comets to out above and it tefore” (in tren rel fb) each ober, yt ail, sured ip. the belief exyrenoed in te old prose, Mate ith ling the sing 8 bép ("A morsel Of food ae the conter ofthe village is ogni to 9 trayful in fr comer of the ldtcten"), At the fencing the sscriFicial pig's had as amerally the mat highly prized portion, end txaditin dictated the asis ups sich St ses divided, The slightest eviation from the protocol of hierarchical rights and privileges ictal by village caston ns a challenge to the tice system Sn wich everyone had a considerable peyologcal at ell. at seta sl economic: investi \illag: Fureticrares. Since village affairs were dominated by the notables, village furticmaries (chic dich) were basically ere omcitors of the will of the council of meablea, At Spex of village offices was a "Wighest vegrable” (eid ch) {ollosed by a Mepty high venerable” (Eh ch. These psi tien ere ually fillet by men from the highest statis ‘evel of the village, retired marine frum the national bareaicracy. lacking simone with these qualifications bh willing and able t serve, the eldest mm in the village wes often recruited imo office, These fincticoaries vere the ultinte decisica- mmkers ari the highest authority in the village, Put althogh they fa to be camilted atext everything of Iaportance, often Uy did not wish to concern tharelves with the mundane afairs of routine village Life and were content to lay dow enly very fgmeral guidelines, exercising litle aipervision over the stil8 comcition of esr policies. 1 es primarily within the capes] So nables tat anes vere serfs debt mst decisions Sere actinly sole, along pic matings sere sometimes Feld aed dissent sas not nly pereitted Wwe alaest institucional Sad ; : The village chief (29 eng or xf enthe) factions pri- surly as an imermetiary porn bobeen the village a distri fd pwlncal aorities anf babes the canell of acta fa the rest of the village abinistratn, Be vas the chet fomestor of te will of Uwe comeil onl resensitle to Sir igh ool etters, great aad all. Aniotiog Ue village hist in Ris abinistratve respasibilities vere to primary festszatst 2 depty village Chet ands sor of *enyoe” ot Momstip muoger", toeh Tepnsible for seeing. that resorts sere properly mistaine, timea collected, onl Yor Sipervisrg, the perfomance of lesser village fireticraries, ‘Il of ese gests were often rather tess jos iol ving tra werk an bony reoponility wath Title of 0 sary fd igtle real posers being cine far these phe wes an toner, permite coe to "hve up the table”, Te mat sien {o te copeil of rtables, where ral per and prestige ly Lavo Ten ‘a first principle, all land in Vietnam telengel to the ruler, Tere wat rive owerahp of land, hit property rights ot intividials sere mt abeolute, The Kng's right o) eda thai vss abalate, bth leglly ar ideologically. The vlage {Rant we aloo st Smprtae las-aer Cmnelliy-cond la (cong len or cong tho) vt am inportant characteristic of v= lage society, ond tle the amane of it varied Crm village to'vllage, ter Frech Tale it amanted to 21 percant of the {Cua land wer ciltivtion in ortbern Vieunm and 25 percent in central Viet, foyal poser regarding, Land Geert es ‘actin tse! to etablish ond v0 bolster coma Ld ener Seip. Ror ample, inthe late foarte ceneury pte lee Telling tn ewes of ton eetares vere cemerted comma Wa Sie/larly, in 129 monsres see tke in Boh Bh ror iiee to increas the pogorion of camanaly-nned lan, Ress ie capenatiea yas uly paid tD those whose lad vas cor seat althngh no one hed he right t0 deme Teelally, usolly at Uweeyeer iiterals;” the we of itlageowned land wes reatlcated amg vilage sebers, od {his provid means of ineuring subsistence far the poar or (tose no ell cod tls, Som villages eed hs a8 8 eons Sf reintursnent for services renlred to the vlog, such fs paclgation in patrol day. Ae camel lanl alo. st ‘& liyertane sace of village came ae too ply a for ae up vere neither curity cass tor providers of services to the village the Tent ws far from Snagpificet, Toe tice tee teal to fray the cost of vallage feasts, notably those ‘Soociavl with te Gite of the Guxdian Sprit, a for tin tasning public tulldings ant vine, Some income tas aley set ‘side fot special purprses such as igert of soldiers fantses, Midas, ertens, and the ope, to rove for village officials, police, an schol tac. ye early tuntledh century the coma lal hl tn large smosie cand to be of eat emit to the vidal pear easint as the rapidly growing population Ted to ever dacensing Shares by Ue Inte ate the average tare per Lnflee pow in the Re River delta ves 360 syure meter—lard ieufFicient support a Rexsdtold. The recipients exefore wld ret heir plo to ethers ho fal eaptal, tole sn draft animals ‘weld hire theives it a Inborets "He FANT sist es the village jealously guard its primate and ato- vores eeistence bend 8 dense of tall tune en an Ciote but stu pte, so too Ald Che fiblest faiy in the ‘illage mistain Ses pelncy within its ot cag The poorest Tousetold in te village, fame! again neighbors, Wang itmght be had its oon el yard a paren ad was rotate, at lems spbolically, Wy a force or fge aol @ gate of Its Gin Often facig imcrd Literally, village tanles Erepenely tatie thee min tase and other faldings along the very eee cf their property. AIL dows a! ns wuld th opt rt contrat ‘courtyard shile a solid Ban well es jesmtel to the land and neighboring aes. "Ta ove ech otbery" 8 Vet fae saying avisns, Maye fercsa and hag th give peivcy.” (to io piu co Kln,) Teas very Tae in the village for anyone tive aloe, dang the wo did, sone vere cmpletely isolated—all fax relatives ammbere in the village. Kinfolk rel dar