| Abstract: |
This chapter evaluates the politico-religious and economic roles of cattle and water buffalo in the Khmer Empire. Depictions of bovines in Angkorian art, mythology, and Sanskrit-language texts are examined to provide insight into the adoption of Indic ideals. The increasing ratios of cattle to water buffalo mentioned in Khmer-language inscriptions reflect the need for cow by-products—curds, milk, and ghee—to anoint the increasing numbers of gods installed within Angkor Period temples. While much of the symbolism pertaining to bovines, especially cattle, was borrowed from India and used by rulers and other elites to enhance their status, the less prominent buffalo imagery is rooted in indigenous cults dating back to prehistoric times. Epigraphic and landscape evidence provide insight into issues of herd management and the use of bovines for transportation and enhancing agricultural output.
|
