During the process of development, the Cham ethnic group has acquired many religions, including Buddhism, Brahmanism, Hinduism, and Islam.
These religions have left deep marks in Cham culture. Under the influence of these religions, the Cham people have gradually divided into three communities with different characteristics of culture, religion, and belief. They are Cham Balamon, Cham Bani and Cham Islam.
Bình Thuận and Ninh Thuận are two provinces in the southeastern region of Vietnam that is home to the largest number of the Vietnamese Cham peoples with numerous preserved customs and traditions. Studies on the religions and beliefs of the Cham people in Bình Thuận and Ninh Thuận helps us to understand them specifically as well as of Cham communities in other areas. The book is formed on the basis of scientific research at the ministry level and called, “Research on a Number of Fundamental Problems of the Existing Religions in the Cham Ethnic Group”.
The fundamental matters of religions mentioned in the book are the system of deities, rituals, religious class, and the basis of worship. The fundamental problems of belief, which are analyzed and studied in this book, are related to agriculture and a number of magic forms.
The book includes five chapters.
Chapter I gives a general introduction to the Cham people in Bình Thuận and Ninh Thuận provinces and the fundamental matters of their beliefs today.
Chapter II and III focus on a number of fundamental matters of Brahmanism, Hinduism, Islam and other religions of the Cham people. The authors give a general introduction to the religions, analyzing the penetration of these religions into the Cham community and the formation of Cham communities according to religious practices.
Chapter IV: The authors analyze the relationships between the Cham Balamon, Cham Bani and Cham Islamic groups, with the Cham in other provinces, the relationship between Cham Islam and Malaysian peoples, and between Cham Bani and Cham Balamon in religious rituals.
Chapter V mentions a number of fundamental problems with the religious life of Cham peoples in Bình Thuận and Ninh Thuận provinces today.
Pham Vinh Ha
