Cognitive culture of the river environment as reflected in place names in Can Tho City

Abstract

The natural environment of the Mekong delta in general, and Can Tho in particular, plays an important role in shaping the living environment for its inhabitants, contributing to the formation of a distinctive river culture for both Can Tho and the Southwest region. The expansion of land reclamation and agricultural production activities in the Southwest region generally, and Can Tho specifically, since the 17ᵗʰ century, has fundamentally altered the natural landscape. This transformation is clearly reflected in the place names of Can Tho. The character of the natural environment is encoded in these place names and partly reflects accumulated knowledge of river and canal systems, as well as an awareness of aquatic animals and local waterway traffic. Using data collection, statistical and classification methods, fieldwork, and in-depth interviews, combined with interdisciplinary approaches and grounded in cultural region theory, particularly with reference to the natural characteristics of Can Tho, this article focuses on understanding the manifestations of cognitive culture related to the river environment through place names. It thereby contributing to documenting indigenous knowledge of the local people.