The Origin of the Sirenia (Cambodian folktale)

Die Entstehung der Sirenen (Khmer: រឿងដើមកំណើតសត្វផ្សោត;[1] English: "The Origin of the Sirenia") is a Cambodian folktale published by Rüdiger Gaudes, wherein a girl lives with a tree god in python form that provides her and her family with treasures, while another family tries to have the same fortune by finding another python and accidentally let their daughter be devoured.

The tale is related to the international cycle of the Animal as Bridegroom, wherein a heroine marries a husband in animal form who reveals he is man underneath. In this case, the heroine marries a husband in animal shape that becomes human, while another girl marries a real animal and dies. Variants of the narrative are located in India and Southeast Asia.

  1. ^ Prajum rẏan breṅ Khmaer (in Khmer). Vol. 4. Buddha Sāsanapaṇdity. 1990. pp. 13–21.