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Gendering Asia
Lost Goddesses: The Denial of Female Power in Cambodian History
Women had a high status in premodern Southeast Asia; this is constantly stated, especially in relation to discussions on the status of women today in the region. Why, then, is it that the position of women there today is far from equitable? Few studies have examined how, when, or even why this change came about.This is the first study ever to address the place of women in Cambodian history. A narrative and visual tour de force, it revises accepted perspectives in the history and geopolitical organization of Cambodia since c. 230 C.E. In so doing the book examines the relationship between women and power and analyzes the extent of female political and economic participation as revealed in historical sources, including the ways in which women were represented in art and literature.
350 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 13, 2010
This is an impressively thorough examination of the role of women in the cultural and political life of Cambodia throughout recorded history. Given the huge number of references, some of them extremely esoteric, I imagine that the author labored for years on this book.
As a reference work it is a goldmine: anyone researching the position of women in Cambodia at any point in the past 1200 years will find something useful. It is however not easy to read, as Jacobsen often sacrifices analysis for a dogged list of quotes from her sources, many of them either repetitive or naggingly trivial. And while they all serve to forward her argument that women occupied an equal place with men in Cambodian culture and politics until the 19th century, I occasionally felt that she was a bit too insistent. If women were so obviously living on an equal basis with men, why would it be necessary to dig so deep to find that evidence?
The earlier chapters of the book are less polished than the final chapters, in which Jacobsen has warmed to her topic and is now able to offer a broader perspective on women in Cambodian society. Her chapter on life under the Khmer Rouge is interesting and convincing, as is the final chapter which summarizes her argument well in light of the evidence presented.
I will say that having read this book I will never look at Cambodian history in the same way again. Jacobsen’s treatment of rape, polygyny, and female power in the spiritual realm is especially eye-opening and credible, given her many years of study in Cambodia. Numerous photos and illustrations in the book are well-selected and relevant to the text.
As a reference work it is a goldmine: anyone researching the position of women in Cambodia at any point in the past 1200 years will find something useful. It is however not easy to read, as Jacobsen often sacrifices analysis for a dogged list of quotes from her sources, many of them either repetitive or naggingly trivial. And while they all serve to forward her argument that women occupied an equal place with men in Cambodian culture and politics until the 19th century, I occasionally felt that she was a bit too insistent. If women were so obviously living on an equal basis with men, why would it be necessary to dig so deep to find that evidence?
The earlier chapters of the book are less polished than the final chapters, in which Jacobsen has warmed to her topic and is now able to offer a broader perspective on women in Cambodian society. Her chapter on life under the Khmer Rouge is interesting and convincing, as is the final chapter which summarizes her argument well in light of the evidence presented.
I will say that having read this book I will never look at Cambodian history in the same way again. Jacobsen’s treatment of rape, polygyny, and female power in the spiritual realm is especially eye-opening and credible, given her many years of study in Cambodia. Numerous photos and illustrations in the book are well-selected and relevant to the text.
May 22, 2022
Full review to come.
Recommended with reservations. It contains a lot of useful information (for instance, excerpts of several medieval law codes I'd never heard of), but is deeply flawed.
Recommended with reservations. It contains a lot of useful information (for instance, excerpts of several medieval law codes I'd never heard of), but is deeply flawed.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews