• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
• /
• v.45 no.6
• /
• pp.160-170
• /
• 2017

As a monumental building in the form of an arch, an archway has the characteristics of praise and honor. More and more historic, cultural and social connotations are given during the development of history. Four archways that are located on the middle route of the Red Gate Palace in the Mount Tai Scenic Area were chosen for research. Based on a literature review and field investigation with a visual analysis method, the physical attributes, spatial scale, perceptions and functions of the archways were discussed. The results were as follows: The archways in the research area are all made of stone. According to building location, they are classified into two types: Cultural archway and temple archway. Regarding functions, they are divided into symbolic archway, memorial archway and portal archway. From the point of view of form and scale, the Confucius Boarding Archway enjoys a higher standard than the other three. This reflects the importance of Confucian culture on Mount Tai. Regarding spatial scale, the archway becomes the focus in a restrictive linear space by an object-to-object and person-to-object comparison. Visitor experience of crossing the archways is strongly enhanced as it acts as entrance and exit, and it has the function of guiding sight since the arrangement of the archways further extend the line of sight. Couplets and inscriptions on the archways increase a sense of expectation for visitors on their way to the top of Mount Tai.

• SUVANNABHUMI
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.107-135
• /
• 2014

Cham identities which are socially constructed and multilayered, display their markers in a variety of elements, including homeland attachment to the former Kingdom of Champa, religion, language and cultural traditions, to mention a few. However, unlike other contemporary diasporic experience which binds the homeland and the host country, the Cham diaspora in Cambodia has a unique pattern as it seems to have no voice in the political and economic spheres in Vietnam, its homeland. The relations between the Cham in Cambodia and Vietnam seem to be limited to cultural heritages such as Cham musical traditions, traditional clothing, and the architectural heritage. Many Cham people have established networks outside Cambodia with areas of the Muslim world, like Malaysia, Indonesia, southern Thailand and the Middle Eastern countries. Pursuing education or training in Islam as well as working in those countries, especially Malaysia has become a way for the Cham to widen their networks and increase their knowledge of particularly, Islam. Returning to Cambodia, these people become religious teachers or ustadz (Islamic teachers in the pondok [Islamic boarding school]). This has developed slowly, side by side with the formation of their identity as Cham Muslims. Among certain Cham, the absence of an ancient cultural heritage as an identity marker has been replaced by the Islamic culture as the important element of identity. However, being Cham is not a single identity, it is fluid and contested. Many scholars argue that the Cham in Cambodia constitute three groups: the Cham Chvea, Cham, and Cham Bani (Cham Jahed). The so-called Cham Jahed has a unique practice of Islam. Unlike other Cham who pray five times a day, Cham Jahed people pray, once a week, on Fridays. They also have a different ritual for the wedding ceremony which they regard as the authentic tradition of the Cham. Indeed, they consider themselves pure descendants of the Cham in Vietnam; retaining Cham traditions and tending to maintain their relationship with their fellow Cham in Central Vietnam. In terms of language, another marker of identity, the Cham and the Cham Jahed share the same language, but Cham Jahed preserve the written Cham script more often than the Cham. Besides, the Cham Jahed teaches the language to the young generation intensively. This paper, based on fieldwork in Cambodia in 2010 and 2011 will focus on the process of the formation of the Cham identity, especially of those called Cham and Cham Jahed.