កូនក្រក [Koan Kroach]
In relation to Khmer /Cambodian Esoteric Practices
Disclaimer:
My ancestors are more into divination and practices related to those fields versus actual baneful magick (or what some may call black magic) as baneful magick is still perceived as a taboo.
However, I personally like to explore and inform myself of other forms of magic within Khmer Culture because the differences of practices are interesting.
This post is based on my research and brief encounters of it. Like when I was a kid, I saw one at someone's house and was freaking out internally because I literally thought I was next and that my folks were selling me out to this person lmfao like Hansel and Gretal vibes.
What is Koan Kroach?
The phrase, កូនក្រក [koan-kroach], literally translates to “dried child” but in a cultural context, this refers to a type of mummified fetal amulet. The creation of this amulet is considered an esoteric practice where the fetus is obtained from the first pregnancy of a woman who has either: 1) died in childbirth (OR) 2) obtained from a living pregnant woman
Quick Info
The veneration of “Koan Kroach” in Khmer/Cambodian culture has similarities and differences to “Kuman Thong” from Laos, Thailand and other SE Asian countries such as the Philippines. In accordance with the previous information and in relation to Khmer/Cambodian practices, it is important to mention that this is one of the most important rules: To successfully make a “Koan Kroach”, the fetus must be willingly gifted by the mother to the father. As a result, this kind of implies that the making of a “Koan Kroach” relates to an “ancestor/spirit” from the wife’s lineage but up to your discretion/interpretation as the research I did also said that if you obtain a “Koan Kroach", you should never tell anyone you have it because of the heavy spirituality purposes attached to it.
The Origins and Purpose:
It is said that there is a long tradition of the use of “Koan Kroach” in Khmer/Cambodian and the first foreigner to report this practice in Cambodia was French ethnologist, Etienne Aymonier. In his report, he states that... "In-laws would avoid keeping a young couple too far during the first pregnancy as a means to protect the pregnant mother and her baby in the womb." But what is “Koan Kroach” exactly? The amulet itself is like a symbol of protection or as a way to grant supernatural powers. The person who usually becomes the “father” of the “Koan Kroach” has to mummify it while making offerings and rites. This is not done without a practitioner who has expertise in magic. In this ritual, the practitioner will include awaking the “fetus” with magic.
There’s actually more to this ritual where it also includes stones, offerings and all of that but I am not informed of all the details.
Now, it is said that if the Koan Kroach are twins, then the amulet is believed to be highly powerful.
So, in the ritual where they awaken the fetus, it is said that they would appease the spirit and the fetus would be sewn into a pouch. If we compare this practice to modern times, there’s a lot of ghost related stories and songs about this and according to a Cambodian anthropologist, the usages of “Koan Kroach” tends to be greater during periods of national instability.
Let's explore the Cultural Context:
Disclaimer:
First, these types of things all varies as not every individual or family practices this. From my knowledge of it, there are people out there who do believe that they can gain supernatural powers, guidance and/or protection from the fetus of someone's first pregnancy.
The actual power of the amulet is derived from the spirit, and not the actual fetus, itself. The “fetus” is considered to act as a “vessel” but you are supposed to treat it like a child and take care of it as this amulet is supposed to protect you. Additionally, the requirement to make a “Koan Kroach” is a human embryo that has not yet come to term.
The individuals who usually end up wearing this amulet are male soldiers and he who wishes to benefit from it, should first get his wife or girlfriend pregnant.
Scenario 1:
When the time is right, he may then jokingly asks if she will give him the child in her belly; the woman, believing this is a game, says yes. Saying “yes” is essential as words of willingness is to provide the amulet power. [Warning/Explicit] So, he then would cut her open, removes the fetus, and smoke/mummifying it basically.
Scenario 2:
The man can also retrieve it another way and this would be from the corpse of the woman (who has been buried with her unborn fetus). He must first awaken her and he should be able to overcome the fear and backlash that is to come about from awaking the dead as it is a belief that you should not disturb the dead. If he is able to overcome this backlash and retrieves permission from the corpse, he can proceed with the process of creating a Koan Kroach and will wear it as an amulet around his neck or waist. The smoked or golden fetus becomes the guide and protector of its owner, speaking to him in dreams to give guidance and warns him of dangers ahead.
Media and Entertainment Adaptions:
A blockbuster horror movie titled "Koan Kroach" was released to cinemas in Cambodia on November 9th, 2018.
However, this was blocked from advertising online by major social networks and platforms as they said it contained high levels of violence towards women.
