It is an ancient kingdom of Indochina known in the past as "Lâm Ấp" ( or Lin Yi ), then Chiêm Thành ( or Tchan-Tcheng in Chinese) and located in what is now central Vietnam between Ðà Nẵng and Phan Thiết. The amazing Cham towers in red bricks and sandstone found in Ðà Nẵng and Phan Thiết are the sole silent witnesses of a civilization vanished in the turbulence of history. The Chams were no doubts of Indonesian origin and occupied the coasts of central and south Vietnam. In 2nd century, this people of sailors adopted Hinduism on contact with Indian merchants, which gave birth to the kingdom of Champa. A Chinese traveller of 4th century described them with a particular typical physique: Big straight nose, black and curly hair, practicing a funeral ritual that consists of cremation at the sound of the drum. The Chàms were not only excellent sailors but also formidable builders and ingenious farmers. The Chàms arrived at achieving the unity of the country at the beginning of 5th century after having resisted several rounds of Chinese domination attempt. Their capital was located at Indrapura (Trà Kiểu), near Ðà Nẵng (former Tourane of the French ) from 7th to 9th century. |
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