The author situates the messianic movements of the Mekong Delta in the
social, economic and political contexts of the colonial period during
which they emerged. Beyond their religious and mystical aspects, thes
e sects sought to recreate a social link where the rural society saw i
ts social structure disintegrating and where the peasant patriotic mov
ements they actively supported suffered defeat. It is within this apoc
alyptical perspective that they were able to develop their guiding pri
nciples, such as a return to roots and a cultural and religious syncre
tism.