Everyday Life in Angkor: Markets, Medicine, and Marriage

Step away from the temple ruins and into the vibrant streets of medieval Angkor. This episode uses the detailed observations of Chinese envoy Zhou Daguan, who lived in Angkor from 1296 to 1297, to reconstruct the daily rhythms of Khmer society. We explore the bustling markets where women dominated trade, the curious marriage customs (including why young Khmer women married late), the state of medicine with its specialized hospitals (arogyasala) built by Jayavarman VII, and the grim spectacle of justice and punishment. Zhou's writings also reveal the intimate lives of the palace — from the king's harem and his daily routines to the stunning processions that displayed royal power. Through his eyes, we glimpse a human Angkor, alive with commerce, gossip, and ritual, beyond the silent stones. #ZhouDaguan #Angkor #KhmerEmpire #EverydayLife #MarriageCustoms #Medicine #Markets #Arogyasala #JayavarmanVII #ChineseEnvoys #WomenInTrade #Justice #Slavery #PalaceLife #Processions #MedievalHistory #FexingoHistory #History #AngkorWat #JayavarmanII Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo