Living with the dead in the killing fields of Cambodia

Post-Khmer Rouge Cambodia witnessed a profound shift in the relationship between the living and the dead, transforming distrust into reciprocal support. This study reveals how the dead evolved from feared entities to benevolent allies, playing a crucial role in post-conflict reconstruction. By analyzing interactions at Choeung Ek Genocidal Center and Koh Sap Island, the research demonstrates that these relationships mirror local politics, illustrating the integral role of managing the dead in societal security. The approach combines qualitative analysis with comparative case studies, highlighting the complex dynamics of memory, conflict resolution, and social transformation.

Bennett, C. (2018). Living with the dead in the killing fields of Cambodia. Journal of Southeast Asian Studies, 49(2), 184–203. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0022463418000188