MESSIANIC MOVEMENTS ALONG THE MEKONG DELT A FROM THE LATE 1800S TO 1975

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.