Question: Ever wondered why some villages and temples here share a special name?
Svay Chrum Pagoda stands before you. It is a place where history and faith intertwine. The story of this pagoda is deeply connected to the land. It also shares a connection with the province itself.
Long ago, this area was abundant with bamboo and wild mango trees. Some parts were dense forests. These forests had Khlong, Gum, Koki, and Pror Chak trees. Legend says that after a war, soldiers planted seven types of mango trees near Preah Neang Chau’s temple. They were generals and soldiers stationed at the temple. Preah Neang Chau was the Queen of Preah Bat Chey Chetha II. People called these trees the seven mango trees. They included the elephant-headed mango and the milk mango. There was also the sweet mango. Others included the Keo Moung, Wild, Keo Yak, and Pum Sen mangoes.
Soldiers later set up camps in Svay Tieb. They also set up in Romdoul and Rong Damrey provinces. They picked mangoes to eat. They saved the seeds. They planted these seeds at their camps and hometowns after retirement. Mango is “Svay” in Khmer. It grows mostly on mounds or ancient pagoda sites. That is why many villages, communes, districts, and temples include “Svay” in their names.
Svay Chrum Pagoda is part of this naming tradition. It is one of fifteen pagodas in the area. There are also sixteen ancient mounds. They include Toul Svay Anderk and Toul Svay Kantrai Toul. There is also Toul Svay Pum Krorng. Another one is Toul Svay Raim. The name “Svay” became the basis for naming villages and districts.
During the French protectorate in 1887, the Svay Rieng Administrative Post was established. It was used for tax collection and administration. This led to the creation of Svay Rieng Province in 1922. In 1919, French officials sought a name for the new region. They met with commune chiefs and district chiefs at Kraol Ko.
Promh, the commune chief of Kraol Ko, suggested the name “Svay”. He noted that many places had “Svay” in their names. He listed Svay Chom Rov and Svay Yea. Other places included Svay Ang and Svay P’aem. There was also Svay Pror Hoot. He mentioned Svay Chrum, Svay Thom, and Svay Chek. There was also Svay Toeu and Svay Rumpea. He continued with Svay Tayean. He finished with Svay Teap and Svay Bei Duem. The French then chose the name “Svay Rieng”.
Svay Rieng Province has a rich history. It was part of the Funan and Chenla kingdoms. Later, it fell under the Khmer Empire. The province was influenced by larger religious and political structures. Its location near the Mekong River made it important for trade and agriculture. After the Khmer Empire fell, Svay Rieng was controlled by Vietnamese and Thai kingdoms. This led to border changes and disputes. During the French colonial period, Svay Rieng was part of French Indochina.
Today, Svay Rieng is divided into administrative districts and municipalities. Svay Rieng City is the seat of government. The province is known for its agriculture. It is also developing its tourism potential. Svay Chrum Pagoda stands as a testament to the area’s rich history and cultural heritage. It connects to the province’s very name. It also connects to the traditions of its people. Remember the story of Svay Chrum Pagoda. Remember the mangoes and the land’s deep history.