Holy Man's Rebellion
Holy Man's Rebellion | |
---|---|
Siam.[1] | |
Result | Franco-Siamese victory.[1] |
Ong Man
Ong Kommandam †[2]
Chulalongkorn[2]
2 cannons[2]
150+ wounded
400+ captured[2]
The Holy Man's Rebellion (
Background
Before the
In 1883, France attempted to expand its control in Southeast Asia by claiming that the
Conflict
In late March 1901, the French Commissioner of Saravane formed a small band of militiamen in order to investigate the popular gatherings organised by sorcerer Ong Keo on the Phou Kat mountain. Ong Keo had managed to gain a large following among the Alak, Sedang, Loven and Nha-heun tribals who venerated him as a proto-Bodhisattva, creating the millenarian Phu Mi Bun (Ruler of Justice) movement. On 12 April, the French patrol was ambushed by 1,500 Kha tribals, the commissioner managed to flee back to Saravane. Nevertheless, news of the uprising began spreading in the surrounding areas. On 29 May, Sedang rebels attacked a French outpost outside Kon Tum killing the commanding officer.[2][1][4]
A prophecy then began circulating in Northeast Siam, various prophets claimed that a great catastrophe was going to take place in May 1901, while Phu Mi Bun would emerge as the ruler of the world. Ong Keo was expected to turn stones into gold and gold into stones, prompting his followers to collect stones and ceremonially kill animals in preparation for the event. In June 1901, a number of Lao chiefs proclaimed their allegiance to Ong Keo, and set fire to buildings along the Sedone river. In March 1902, the uprising spread into Siam after Ong Keo's officer Ong Man proclaimed himself to be the Phu Mi Bun and gathered a group of armed followers. On 28 March, Ong Man's troops raided
In late April, a large group of chanting militants surrounded the French commissariat at Savannakhet. Believing that the French ammunition would turn into frangipani flowers, 150 rebels were slain and an equal number were wounded. The insurgents then relocated to the Phou Luong mountains, ceasing their activities until 1905. On 30 November 1905, insurgents massacred 41 Loven tribesmen in Ban Nong Bok Kao. Renewed French operations forced Ong Keo to surrender; however, he soon fled to Siam only to return to Laos and resume his struggle in the Bolovens Plateau. In 1910, Ong Keo was assassinated by French representative Fendler during peace negotiations, Fendler had hidden a pistol under his hat which remained undetected as the head was not searched according to Lao customs. Ong Keo's officer Ong Kommandam then assumed command of the rebels before being shot in January 1936. Khomadam's death put an end to the rebellion.[2][1]
See also
- Lao rebellion (1826–1828)
- Haw wars (1865–1890)
- Paknam Incident(1893)
- War of the Insane(1918–1921)
Further reading
- Baird, I. G. (June 01, 2013). Millenarian movements in southern Laos and North Eastern Siam (Thailand) at the turn of the twentieth century: Reconsidering the involvement of the Champassak house royal. South East Asia Research, 21, 2, 257-279.
References
- ^ a b c d e Craig J. Reynolds. "The Concept of Peasant Revolt in Southeast Asia". University of Sydney eScholarship Journals. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m John B. Murdoch (1971). "THE 1901–1902 "HOLY MAN'S" REBELLION" (PDF). Journal of the Siam Society. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
- ^ a b Murdoch, John B. (1974). "The 1901-1902 "Holy Man's Rebellion"" (PDF). Journal of the Siam Society. JSS Vol.62.1 (digital). Siam Heritage Trust: image 3. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
8) "Kha" is the common, though somewhat pejorative, term used for the Austroasiatic tribal people of Northeast Thailand, Laos, and Viet-nam. I use it here because it is common parlance in the literature and for lack of a better term.
- ^ Martin Stuart-Fox (30 January 2006). "Buddhism and politics in Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand" (PDF). ANU College of Asia & the Pacific. Retrieved 21 August 2015.