Khom script
Encyclopedia
There are two scripts in Southeast Asia called Khom script. This article describes the obscure script from Laos
that Sidwell (2008) and Jacq (2001) have described under the name "Khom script".
This Khom script is unique in the way it divides syllables. It has one set of symbols to represent initial consonants. Then it uses another set of symbols to represent the final vowel and consonant. That is, unlike a syllabary
(which has unitary symbols for consonants followed by vowels (CV), with maybe a vowelless consonant following), Khom script divides the syllable as C-VC, rather than CV-C. This is unique, not readily accommodated in any of the existing typologies of scripts.
The script was invented by Ong Kommadam
, a leader in the rebellion against the French colonizers. He began using the script as early as 1924, but its use did not continue after his death in 1936. Ong Kommadam claimed supernatural titles, including “King of the Khom”, “God of the Khom”, “Sky God of the Khom” (Sidwell 2008:17). The script was linked to his divine claims, messages written in this script carried mystical power as well as meaning.
The script was revealed to outsiders by old, dying insiders on two separate occasions. Some of the symbols resemble those from nearby scripts, but many are original.
Khom is also used to refer to the Ancient Khmer lettering used in Thailand's Buddhist temples to inscribe sacred Buddhist mantras and prayers.
Laos
Laos Lao: ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao, officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Burma and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south and Thailand to the west...
that Sidwell (2008) and Jacq (2001) have described under the name "Khom script".
This Khom script is unique in the way it divides syllables. It has one set of symbols to represent initial consonants. Then it uses another set of symbols to represent the final vowel and consonant. That is, unlike a syllabary
Syllabary
A syllabary is a set of written symbols that represent syllables, which make up words. In a syllabary, there is no systematic similarity between the symbols which represent syllables with the same consonant or vowel...
(which has unitary symbols for consonants followed by vowels (CV), with maybe a vowelless consonant following), Khom script divides the syllable as C-VC, rather than CV-C. This is unique, not readily accommodated in any of the existing typologies of scripts.
The script was invented by Ong Kommadam
Ong Kommandam
Ong Kommandam was the right hand man of Ong Keo. He quickly picked up the struggle for independence with far greater success because he was able to unite the highland minorities of Southern Laos. In 1910, he was shot by French Résident Supérieur of Salavan, Jacques Dauplay, who had supposedly...
, a leader in the rebellion against the French colonizers. He began using the script as early as 1924, but its use did not continue after his death in 1936. Ong Kommadam claimed supernatural titles, including “King of the Khom”, “God of the Khom”, “Sky God of the Khom” (Sidwell 2008:17). The script was linked to his divine claims, messages written in this script carried mystical power as well as meaning.
The script was revealed to outsiders by old, dying insiders on two separate occasions. Some of the symbols resemble those from nearby scripts, but many are original.
Khom is also used to refer to the Ancient Khmer lettering used in Thailand's Buddhist temples to inscribe sacred Buddhist mantras and prayers.