Brian Jeffrey
An Giang province is home to valuable treasures from the Oc Eo culture, an ancient civilization dating back over 3,500 years. Out of the eight national treasures, two are at the Oc Eo Cultural Exhibition House, while the other six are on display at An Giang Museum in Long Xuyen city.
The Oc Eo culture is rooted in the ancient Funan Kingdom, one of Southeast Asia’s earliest states established between the 1st and 7th centuries AD. The French archaeologist Louis Malleret unearthed the first relics at Oc Eo mound in Vong The commune, Thoai Son district, An Giang province, in 1944.
One of the six artifacts on display is a statue featuring the “mukha” symbol from the 6th century. This national treasure made of fine-grained sandstone stands at 91cm tall with intricate details symbolizing the face in Sanskrit. The Mukhalinga represents a fusion of cultural elements with a cylindrical phallic shape, a relief of Shiva’s head in the middle, and a square base.
This sculpture highlights the mukha symbol’s prominence, illustrating the profound influence of Indian culture on Oc Eo civilization and the enduring cultural exchanges between the two regions.
Another notable artifact is the Linga-Yoni set crafted from gold and brass, a rare find from the 5th-6th centuries, symbolizing male and female genitalia. This intricate piece, weighing approximately 2.6kg, showcases exquisite artistry and religious symbolism blending Hindu traditions with creative craftsmanship.
From the 4th-6th centuries, a Buddha statue carved from sao wood stands as a national treasure. The statue, standing 2.7 meters tall and weighing 94kg, portrays the Buddha on a simple pedestal, displaying detailed features reflecting the era’s artistic styles.
This statue adheres to Theravada Buddhist standards from India, revealing the cultural adaptation and exchanges that shaped Oc Eo’s artistic expressions during that period.
A rare Brahma statue from the 6th-7th centuries discovered at Giồng Xoài site showcases influences of Indian-European artistic styles, depicting Brahma with unique features and intricate details.
Standing 71.2cm tall, a sandstone Buddha statue from the 7th century exemplifies the Oc Eo culture’s sculptural finesse and religious symbolism.
Unearthed in 1985 from Linh Son pagoda area, a linga-yoni artifact dating back to the 7th century symbolizes the cultural amalgamation and artistic prowess of the Funan Kingdom, showcasing influences from Indian religious motifs.
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Furthermore, An Giang Museum houses a variety of Oc Eo cultural artifacts, historical documents, and photographs, illustrating Vietnam’s rich heritage and the province’s development.
