Webbed Feet, Web Log » animism

Rumours of Death(power) exaggerated

Jinja — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 09:48:05 +0000

This brightened up my day:

Scholar and blogger Erik Davis (formerly of blog DeathPower) is back with
“Imagining the Real World.” Hooray!
http://erikwdavis.wordpress.com

Off to click through the many tidbits on offer, digesting a rather exhaustive examination of Chomsky Cambodia chronology.

Postscript: more drama on that last bit from Details Are Sketchy!
http://detailsaresketchy.wordpress.com/2010/01/19/scorned-in-cambodia/

New Year, New Art: ‘ Transformation II ‘ in Long Beach

Jinja — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 22:23:21 +0000



The opening of Transformation II (April 11) was a fun and fascinating assemblage of pictures, publications and people in Long Beach. For now, some photos. (Click on any image for artist / show info.) Stay tuned for the upcoming publications presentation, and more general details.



‘Twilight of the Idols’- Aragna Ker	‘Reclaiming Khmer’ – Amy L. Sanford


Sopheak Chuop	Uprooted’ 1 & 2 - Linda Saphan


‘Golden Tree’ – Gina Han	’Melting Motion’ – Lorn Loem



“Skull” – Aragna Ker	‘Adrift’ – Installation, 2009 Denise Scott



‘Pithi Bon Kru’ – observance before performance	Dance performance – Prumsodun Ouk


Opening night crowd	Photo wonk Stephane Janin snaps away

Exhibition Fun

Tags: cambodian,photography,visual art,khmer,exhibition

Phnom Sampow in 90 Minutes

Jinja — Mon, 19 May 2008 06:30:13 +0000

…mainly because we were caught by afternoon rains as we traveled the bumpy unpaved roads by tuk-tuk. We made good use of our time hiring some young locals to moto us up the mountain and serve as impromptu guides.

Phnom Sampow is a bit overwhelming, as you have Neak Ta shrines, ‘killing caves‘, a fully functioning Buddhist temple, gun emplacements, and an awesome view with a mythic background. It truly was a whirlwind – lots of beauty, lots of history, all jumbled together. One moment amusement, another intrigue, and an undercurrent of sadness.

(Left:) Multivore poses as the legendary Neang Rum Say Sok. Her ‘powder room’ is one of the many caves, and a nearby mountain is supposed to be the crocodile Atonn that tries to sink the ‘ship’ of Phnom Sampow.

This spirit house (above) has a squiggle straight out of Krazy Kat‘s Coconino or Charlie Brown’s t-shirt.

One of two emplacements. (Solid Eastern bloc technology, built to last.) With proper grid coordinates, gunners could dominate the surrounding area.

A very small Neak Ta shrine.

The ubiquitous monkeys, chilling out at the Buddhist Wat. Don’t get too close, they’re greedy! Temple pictures from my previous visit can be seen here.

Loo with a view – quite possibly Cambodia’s most picturesque outhouse.

Tags: cambodia,khmer,battambang,tourism

Loy Pratip 2007

Jinja — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 10:22:45 +0000

Above: float vendors. Varying in size and design, each one has a candle and some incense. For 2000 riel (50 cents) one could be yours.
Loy Pratip celebration follows the boat races of Water Festival. In Siem Reap it takes place right in the center of town, at the river which winds through it. This was the biggest I’ve seen it yet.

Here people walk down to the river with their lighted float and send it off (with the enthusiastic help of some swimming kids) to appease spirits. This is one of my favorite Khmer ceremonies, and feels a touch more animist than Buddhist.

Above: one last float joins the current.

Tags:festival,cambodia,khmer

Go read other Blogs

Jinja — Sun, 11 Dec 2005 09:53:00 +0000

I have nothing intelligible to say today… however –

Tharum’s in London, and Seresak has a really interesting article about beliefs in ghosts. Check ‘em out!