Symbolic Meanings of Utensils, Offerings and Component of Dignitaries and Officers in Cremation Ceremony of Four Dignitaries (Paséh) of Brahmanism Cham in South Central Part of Vietnam through Cham Ancient Records.

Abstract

The cremation is a long-standing customary ceremony of Brahmanism Cham people. Together with dignitaries, religious officers, the utensils and offerings have been indispensable components in cremation ceremony. According to Brahmanism Cham, all these components have had their symbolic meanings. So far, there have been many studies of cremation ceremony of the Brahmanism Cham. However, there has not been any study making clearly symbolic meanings of utensils, offerings and dignitaries, religious officers. Therefore, a deep research on this issue through Cham ancient records will contribute to make clearer outlook on life of Brahmanism Cham expressed in their cremation custom so as to avoid mistakes, misunderstandings which deform traditional cultural customs of Brahmanism Cham in South Central Part of Vietnam.