The emergence of twentieth century Cambodian literary institutions: the case of Kambujasuriya

The mapping of the Cambodian literary canon was well under way when the upheaval of the 1970s brought most literary activity in Cambodia to an abrupt halt. Recently, however, scholars of Khmer literature have begun anew to catalog the texts which are seen as constituting the country's canon of literature. In 1990 and 1993 respectively, Khing Hoc Dy published extensive studies of classical and contemporary literature. Then in 1996, Judith Jacob completed her important outline of traditional literature. ¹ Thanks to their efforts, debate over the significance of these canonized texts can proceed with a clear point of reference. At the same time, it is important to note that both of these scholars are associated with academic institutions outside of Cambodia. In the wake of the genocide, the expertise and institutional support necessary for producing these kinds of studies have only just begun to re-emerge within the country itself.