Calendrical systems + Tree names

[pascale jacq]

Dear subscribers,

I am writing a grammar of Jruq (Loven)--a West
Bahnaric Mon-Khmer language of Lao P.D.R. It has a
rather strange calendrical system which names the 12
years of the cycle after both an animal term plus a
fruit tree species.

The animal terms do not correspond to the
Thai/Lao/Khmer animal terms, nor the Chinese system,
instead animals such as 'elephant', 'civet cat' and
'crow' are used. The tree species include 'persimmon',
'areca', 'rambeh', 'fig', 'wild lime', and others
which I have not come accross.

If anyone knows of a similar calendrical system in
southeast asia please let me know.

Cheers,

Pascale

=====
Pascale JACQ
LPO Box A22
Australian National University
ACTON, A.C.T. 0200
AUSTRALIA
email: pascalejacq at yahoo.com
webpage: http://www.anu.edu.au/~a108009

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