Endangered Cham Manuscripts of Vietnam

According to the “Report on Results of the 2019 Census” there are currently almost 179,000 Cham living in Vietnam. An important minority group from Central Vietnam and the Mekong Delta region, the Cham people have a history and culture that is unique to Southeast Asia. 

Historically, Cham manuscripts have not been easily accessible to scholars. This digitization project not only rectifies this longstanding barrier to research, but also preserves the information in these manuscripts against the degradations of Vietnam’s tropical climate. As of 2014 there were approximately 3,000 Cham manuscripts held by Central Vietnam’s Cham communities. These documents contain valuable evidence of the Cham writing system, customs, linguistics, and history. 

The collection contains 977 manuscripts, totaling more than 57,800 pages of material. 26 palm-leaf manuscripts are included among these items. The physical manuscripts of these digital surrogates remain today with their original owners and communities in Vietnam, where they continue to be used as religious items. This project would not have been possible without the funding supports from project partners, the British Library and the Center of Vietnamese and Southeast Asian Studies at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in Ho Chi Minh City. 

Islamic doctrine, Bini doctrine
The topic of this manuscript is religion. The content is about the Islamic doctrine, Bini doctrine., This manuscript was inherited by the father of Mr. Tanh, named Sam Toi, from his grandmother. In 1975, Mr. Toi passed away, and Mr. Tanh subsequently inherited the manuscript., Digitization of this manuscript was funded by the British Libaries' Endangered Archives Programme through the project, Digitisation of the Endangered Cham Manuscripts of Vietnam (no. EAP698).
Anecdote of iron line in poet
The topic of the manuscript is literature. The content is about the anecdote of iron line in poet., This manuscript was inherited by the father of Mr. Tanh, named Sam Toi, from his grandmother. In 1975, Mr. Toi passed away, and Mr. Tanh subsequently inherited the manuscript., Digitization of this manuscript was funded by the British Libaries' Endangered Archives Programme through the project, Digitisation of the Endangered Cham Manuscripts of Vietnam (no. EAP698).
Instructing about good - bad days/months, cosmology, weather forecasting, agricultural rituals and prognostications, the way to choose days to plant trees
Topics include cosmology, weather forecasting, agricultural rituals and prognostications, and how to choose the best day for planting trees., This manuscript was inherited by the father of Mr. Tanh, named Sam Toi, from his grandmother. In 1975, Mr. Toi passed away, and Mr. Tanh subsequently inherited the manuscript., Digitization of this manuscript was funded by the British Libaries' Endangered Archives Programme through the project, Digitisation of the Endangered Cham Manuscripts of Vietnam (no. EAP698).
Chinese multiplications in Akhar Thrah
The topic of the manuscript is mathematics. The content is about Chinese multiplications in Akhar Thrah., This manuscript was inherited by the father of Mr. Tanh, named Sam Toi, from his grandmother. In 1975, Mr. Toi passed away, and Mr. Tanh subsequently inherited the manuscript., Digitization of this manuscript was funded by the British Libaries' Endangered Archives Programme through the project, Digitisation of the Endangered Cham Manuscripts of Vietnam (no. EAP698).
Ariya Sah Kei
The topic of the manuscript is literature. The content is about Ariya Sah Kei., This manuscript was inherited by the father of Mr. Tanh, named Sam Toi, from his grandmother. In 1975, Mr. Toi passed away, and Mr. Tanh subsequently inherited the manuscript., Digitization of this manuscript was funded by the British Libaries' Endangered Archives Programme through the project, Digitisation of the Endangered Cham Manuscripts of Vietnam (no. EAP698).
The way to worship Kadhar; mantra to protect oneself; proper position when sleeping with wives of dignitaries, customs of bride's parents during wedding at place of Ahier
Topics include ritual and religion. The content is about the way to worship Kadhar; mantra to protect oneself; proper position when sleeping with wives of dignitaries, customs of bride's parents during wedding at place of Ahier., This manuscript was inherited by the father of Mr. Tanh, named Sam Toi, from his grandmother. In 1975, Mr. Toi passed away, and Mr. Tanh subsequently inherited the manuscript., Digitization of this manuscript was funded by the British Libaries' Endangered Archives Programme through the project, Digitisation of the Endangered Cham Manuscripts of Vietnam (no. EAP698).
Ariya Paoh/ Cataui, Cham folk, myth of Po Riyak (God of Southern Sea), anthem of Ong Kadhar in ceremonies at temple, Lyrics of Ong Maduen
Topics include literature, folk, myth, and religion. The content is about Ariya Paoh/ Cataui, Cham folk, myth of Po Riyak (God of Southern Sea), anthem of Ong Kadhar in ceremonies at temple, and Lyrics of Ong Maduen., This manuscript was inherited by the father of Mr. Tanh, named Sam Toi, from his grandmother. In 1975, Mr. Toi passed away, and Mr. Tanh subsequently inherited the manuscript., Digitization of this manuscript was funded by the British Libaries' Endangered Archives Programme through the project, Digitisation of the Endangered Cham Manuscripts of Vietnam (no. EAP698).
Purification rites, the art of protecting oneself when traveling
Topics include rituals, religion, and magic. Content is about purification rites, and the art of protecting oneself when traveling., This manuscript was inherited by the father of Mr. Tanh, named Sam Toi, from his grandmother. In 1975, Mr. Toi passed away, and Mr. Tanh subsequently inherited the manuscript., Digitization of this manuscript was funded by the British Libaries' Endangered Archives Programme through the project, Digitisation of the Endangered Cham Manuscripts of Vietnam (no. EAP698).
Panuec Maduen (speech of divine invitation to Mr. Maduen in Rija Praong)
The topic of the manuscript is ritual. The content is about Panuec Maduen (speech of divine invitation to Mr. Maduen in Rija Praong)., This manuscript was inherited by the father of Mr. Tanh, named Sam Toi, from his grandmother. In 1975, Mr. Toi passed away, and Mr. Tanh subsequently inherited the manuscript., Digitization of this manuscript was funded by the British Libaries' Endangered Archives Programme through the project, Digitisation of the Endangered Cham Manuscripts of Vietnam (no. EAP698).
Rituals for prosperity of spouse's business in relation to sacred and profane
The topic of the manuscript is rituals. Content is about the rituals for prosperity of a spouse's business in relation to sacred and profane., This manuscript was inherited by the father of Mr. Tanh, named Sam Toi, from his grandmother. In 1975, Mr. Toi passed away, and Mr. Tanh subsequently inherited the manuscript., Digitization of this manuscript was funded by the British Libaries' Endangered Archives Programme through the project, Digitisation of the Endangered Cham Manuscripts of Vietnam (no. EAP698).
Ritual for the mourning of Ahier (Danak ngap ragei ndam cuh)
The topic of the manuscript is ritual. The content is about the ritual for the mourning of Ahier (Danak ngap ragei ndam cuh)., This manuscript was inherited by the father of Mr. Tanh, named Sam Toi, from his grandmother. In 1975, Mr. Toi passed away, and Mr. Tanh subsequently inherited the manuscript., Digitization of this manuscript was funded by the British Libaries' Endangered Archives Programme through the project, Digitisation of the Endangered Cham Manuscripts of Vietnam (no. EAP698).
Ariya Sah Pakei
The topic of the manuscript is literature. The content is about Ariya Sah Pakei., This manuscript was inherited by the father of Mr. Tanh, named Sam Toi, from his grandmother. In 1975, Mr. Toi passed away, and Mr. Tanh subsequently inherited the manuscript., Digitization of this manuscript was funded by the British Libaries' Endangered Archives Programme through the project, Digitisation of the Endangered Cham Manuscripts of Vietnam (no. EAP698).
Anecdote of Goad Umarup; poems of Mr. Ariya ong Parang (French); poems about Cham enslaved by Kinh people; poems about days and nights; story of teacher Churu; Myth of Po Klaong Girai; myth of God Southern Sea (Po Riyak)
Topics include poetry, anecdotes, myths. The content is about the anecdote of Goad Umarup; poems of Mr. Ariya ong Parang (French); poems about Cham enslaved by Kinh people; poems about days and nights; story of teacher Churu; Myth of Po Klaong Girai; myth of God Southern Sea (Po Riyak)., This manuscript was inherited by the father of Mr. Tanh, named Sam Toi, from his grandmother. In 1975, Mr. Toi passed away, and Mr. Tanh subsequently inherited the manuscript., Digitization of this manuscript was funded by the British Libaries' Endangered Archives Programme through the project, Digitisation of the Endangered Cham Manuscripts of Vietnam (no. EAP698).
Calendar of Cham Ahier people, prognostications in terms of locations, choosing days for receiving, the recitation of God Uwluah for Cham Awal follower about to depart on a journey, rituals for when a accidents happen on the road, personal mantras, chants
Topics include calendars, astrology, religion, magic, and rituals. The content is about the calendar of Cham Ahier people, prognostications in terms of locations, choosing days for receiving, the recitation of God Uwluah for Cham Awal follower about to depart on a journey, rituals for when accidents happen on the road, personal mantras, and chants for sacred space., This manuscript was inherited by the father of Mr. Tanh, named Sam Toi, from his grandmother. In 1975, Mr. Toi passed away, and Mr. Tanh subsequently inherited the manuscript., Digitization of this manuscript was funded by the British Libaries' Endangered Archives Programme through the project, Digitisation of the Endangered Cham Manuscripts of Vietnam (no. EAP698).
Food taboos, Kajang Rija Praong instruction, study of underground dragon currents, rituals of barriers between sacred and profane, ritual beliefs and practices concerning termite mounds, Cham Bini calendar
Topics include calendars, astrology, religion, rituals, and ceremonies. The content is about food taboos, Kajang Rija Praong instruction, the study of underground dragon currents, rituals of barriers between sacred and profane, ritual beliefs and practices concerning termite mounds, and Cham Bini calendar. Also included in the content is the prognostication of auspicious/inauspicious days on which to bestow gifts, loan goods, perform social service, construct buildings, and plant and sow., This manuscript was inherited by the father of Mr. Tanh, named Sam Toi, from his grandmother. In 1975, Mr. Toi passed away, and Mr. Tanh subsequently inherited the manuscript., Digitization of this manuscript was funded by the British Libaries' Endangered Archives Programme through the project, Digitisation of the Endangered Cham Manuscripts of Vietnam (no. EAP698).