Works Cited
“Ancestor Worship, a Fine Tradition of Vietnam for Generations.” Vietnamplus.vn. February 07, 2016. Accessed April 11, 2019. https://en.vietnamplus.vn/ancestor-worship-a-fine-tradition-of-vietnam-for-generations/88741.vnp.
This article discusses the history and modern practice of ancestor worship at an article. It describes how the practice is performed, and the reasoning behind each object that is placed upon the altar. This article is interesting because even though it is not written in first person, the fact that it is published on a Vietnamese news site and the in depth details that are given make it feel more personal, and from Vietnamese perspective.
Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown Episode 4 Hanoi. Directed by Tom Vitale. Performed by Anthony Bourdain. September 25, 2016. Accessed April 11, 2019.
In this episode Anthony explores the culture, food, and history of Hanoi, Vietnam. In one scene he interviews a Vietnamese woman named Thao, in which she generally discusses the history of Vietnam, and defines the current state of the country. She explains the significance of the country’s history of war, and how the future of the country will be interesting, since the newer generations will be the first to be separated from war.
Free, UrTravelAdvisor Vietnam Travel Guide. YouTube. October 17, 2016. Accessed April 11, 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asA8cch2lyo.
In this video the formal practice of ancestor veneration at an alter is described. The video was made for an audience foreign to Vietnamese culture and prospective tourist, but is explained by a Vietnamese woman. This is an interesting way of learning about ancestor worship, as it is from a distanced, more observational point of view.
Lee, Jonathan Huoi Xung. “Ancestral Veneration in Vietnamese Spiritualities.” Hmongstudies.com. 2003. Accessed April 11, 2019. http://hmongstudies.com/Lee2003.pdf.
This academic paper describes the history of religion in Vietnam in relation to ancestor worship. It explains the entire practice and ideology involved in ancestor worship, and how it manifests itself in different religions and ways of life.
Ngo, Vinh Long. Before the Revolution: The Vietnamese Peasants under the French. New York: Columbia University Press, 1991.
This book gives an overview of French colonization from the perspective of Vietnamese peasants. What is specifically useful in this book for my paper is that it discusses how ancestor worship played a role in the distribution of land just prior to French colonization. Certain plots of land were preserved specifically for ancestor veneration, and could not be owned by anyone.
Nguyen, Daniel Xuan-Vu. “IDOLATRY AND THE VIETNAMESE ANCESTOR CULT.” Etd.ohiolink.edu. May 2016. Accessed April 11, 2019. https://etd.ohiolink.edu/!etd.send_file?accession=trin1455712662&disposition=inline.
This academic paper discusses ancestor worship within the Vietnamese Catholic Church, and how it is able to survive despite the fact that it contradicts Catholic values. He gives a cultural analysis of ancestor worship as well, and discusses how its history has shaped what it is today.
Tam, Ruth. “Culture Clash: Asian Americans Balance Christianity and Culture in Rituals Honoring Their Ancestors.” The Washington Post. April 06, 2018. Accessed April 11, 2019. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2018/04/06/culture-clash-asian-americans-balance-christianity-and-culture-in-rituals-honoring-their-ancestors/?utm_term=.d2fd9014291c.
This article is written from the perspective of a Chinese American Christian woman. She describes her struggle with honoring her ancestors when it is in direct contradiction to her religion. What is specifically useful in this article is when the author discusses her Vietnamese Catholic friend, and how she is able to maintain ancestor worship since the Church formally acknowledged and allowed for the practice to continue.
“The Lands and Peoples of Southeast Asia.” National Geographic, March 1971.
This National Geographic spread gives a general overview of different Southeast countries and discusses their cultural practices, and often specifically addresses religion. What is specifically useful in this magazine for my paper is the photographs. They give good insight on the visual structure of formal ancestor worship in temples, churches, and altars. The photos give me a point of reference to compare ancestor worship from the past to today.
“The Value of Ancestor Worship Custom Remains Intact.” The Value of Ancestor Worship Custom Remains Intact – Nhan Dan Online. Accessed April 11, 2019. http://en.nhandan.org.vn/special_reports/item/4016602-the-value-of-ancestor-worship-custom-remains-intact.html.
This article discusses how ancestor worship is maintained and altered to fit modern society. The article gives examples of Vietnamese abroad who still practice honoring their ancestors in different ways. It also gives examples of familial practices that have remained in accordance with tradition. What makes this article useful is that it was published from a Vietnamese news website, which makes the information feel personal and genuine.
Vuong, Ocean. Night Sky With Exit Wounds. London: Jonathan Cape, 2017.
“Worshiping the Ancestors.” Worshiping the Ancestors | Southeast Asia Program. Accessed April 11, 2019. https://seap.einaudi.cornell.edu/worshiping-ancestors.
This article discusses the changes in dominant religion in Vietnam, and how ancestor worship was still practiced despite these changes. It goes through Buddhism,Taoism, Confucianism, Catholicism, and more, and how each religion influenced honoring practice. It also describes different methods of ancestor worship, going in depth to special celebrations as well.