Bac Ninh Province
From: Aliénor Anisensel
Date: Fri, Jun 11, 2010 at 6:34 AM
Dear Vsgers,
Do you know the origin of the hypothesis that Bac Ninh province (Kinh Bac) is the cradle of the vietnamese civilisation ?
Best,
Aliénor
Aliénor ANISENSEL,
PhD Student
Centre de Recherche en Ethnomusicologie
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From: Hai Le
Date: Fri, Jun 11, 2010 at 6:42 AM
I think
it's the "so-called" ancient construction of Luy Lâu http://www.baobacninh.com.vn/?page=news_detail&category_id=12607&id=59712&portal=baobacninh/
but the province name often raise connotation with Quan Ho, (first) Catholic dioces, PhuÌ ÐôÒng, and a number of festivals and traditions...
Hai.
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From: Hunter Marston
Date: Fri, Jun 11, 2010 at 8:08 AM
James C. Scott (Yale) has some scholarship on this. I'm thinking notably of his newer publication, The Art of Not Being Governed. The Kinh are still one of the dominant ethnic groups in Vietnam and were pushed southwards by the Han Chinese long ago, if I'm not mistaken. They prospered in the Red River Delta area growing regionally specific strands of rice. They've since moved southwards to central Vietnam (e.g., Quy Nhon province). My knowledge is mostly just word of mouth, though (a proud Kinh girlfriend). I too would like to learn more on this history!
Regards,
Hunter
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From: Eric Henry
Date: Fri, Jun 11, 2010 at 2:26 PM
Lý Công Uẩn 李公蘊, the founder of the Lý dynasty, came from the Bắc Ninh area. The Lý was VN's first *long-lived* indigenous dynasty. LCU is said in legend to have been a great promoter of culture. As I recall, Bắc Ninh was a center of Buddhist activity, and was also a place where travelers from distant areas tended to stop to engage in trade, so there was a "melting pot" effect. (Some of this was told me by the late poet Hoàng Cấm, who himself came from Bắc Ninh). The Bắc Ninh area is associated with the Lý dynasty, just as the Nam Định area is associated with the subsequent Trần. But these are just memories, acquired through travel and conversation -- I have no books at hand to refer to, so I speak subject to correction by anyone with more precise information.
Respectfully submitted,
Eric Henry
Eric Henry, PhD
Senior Lecturer
Asian Studies Department
University of North Carolina