Dear ladies,

A while back, Gina M. inquired about more readings on Hai Ba Trung and their generals. She also questioned the absurd story of how Hai Ba Trung supposedly lost to an invading Chinese army because the soldiers "flashed" them (actually, that particular battle myth is more tied with Lady Trieu). Thai Strom also lent her ideas on the subject of Vietnamese women heroes. I want to add to this discussion, but, let me back track with some historical information.

In Viet Nam's history of resistance against Chinese imperialism, the names of Trung Trac and Trung Nhi (or better known as the Trung sisters) often stand out as two of the most popular heroic figures. During the beginnings of Vietnamese civilization, Viet Nam faced continual threat from China (China repeatedly attacked Viet Nam with much success for approximately 1,000 years before Viet Nam fully gained independence in 939 A.D.). Trung Trac, in 40 A.D., reorganized 65 strongholds (elite family clans) and named herself as the sovereign Queen of Viet Nam. Her sister, Trung Nhi, was her constant companion and is also remembered as a great leader and hero. Even though they were eventually defeated by Chinese armies led by renowned general, Ma Yuen, they had successfully liberated Viet Nam for a few years.

According to scholar Cong Huyen Ton Nu Nha Trang ("The Makings of the National Heroine"), in the Vietnamese history book, Dai Viet su ky toan thu [The Historical Records of Dai Viet by Le Van Huu of the 13th Century] it document that the sisters failed because when the troops found out they were women, the men fled. Their male followers feared the women could not meet the task of fighting the Chinese and withdrew their support. But, Trang argues that it was widely known the women were leading the troops; so, the retreat was more likely due to the fear of having to fight a much larger army than anything else.

In The Birth of Viet Nam, Keith Taylor commented that historians, leaders, and even poets have attempted to feminize the sisters by focusing on their clothing or hair or exceptional beauty. Historians have belittled the sisters' role as rulers. Their bravery is either downplayed or depicted somehow shameful. Shameful because it brings up questions as to why did men not act in a similar fashion?

To remedy this "problem" historians and story tellers alike have moved Thi Sach, Trac's husband, to a more central role. The story is changed to placed Thi Sach as the undisputed ruler. So, when he was killed, Trung Trac rose to power in order to avenge his death. But, wasn't she already an accepted leader before he was killed? And wasn't he simply a husband who supported his more charismatic and powerful wife?

The Trung sisters have been raised to great patriotic heights to serve as the symbol of Vietnamese women's strength. In contemporary times, the Trung sisters have come to represent Viet Nam's ability to resist foreign invaders.

For what purpose is my question.

The myth of the Trung sisters resembles that of Lady Trieu. Lady Trieu is the famous general who is commonly known to have possessed four foot (ba thuoc) long breasts. She rode on elephants into battle against the Chinese in 240 C.E. This brave woman was also said to take flight at the sight of dirt and eventually lost in battle because men exposed themselves to her. Questionable, indeed.

Lady Trieu represents historians' schizophrenia Ñtheir inability to reconcile a women with both "feminine" and "masculine" attributes. In their inarticulation, Lady Trieu is described as both beautiful and beastly. She is described as virginal and unmarried by choice. I simply question historians' knowledge of her love life. Is it entirely inconceivable that she had lovers but found no benefit in being someone's wife?

Furthermore, I question why there is so much focus on her grotesquely large breasts making her seem deformed? Why do the stories have her flinging it over her shoulders before battle when it makes more sense that she tied them close to her body and under her armor? Just to question one aspect of the myth.

To bring a closing to my already too long discussion, my last question is: For what purpose does heralding women to mythological heights serve while society does not mirror this same matriarchal history? Does it really aid the female psyche to know we have had such great heroines when even basic family structures have complicated gender power relations?

Just some thoughts.

kl