Intern Katelynn's Column: Cambodian history and culture
{Photo Credit: Cambodian Travel Center}
Cambodian culture plays a major role in Davidson County. From music to food, this rich tradition has a lot to discover. Intern Katelynn Suon shares what she has learned.
Cambodia is a Southeast Asian country located on the Indochinese continent, a land mostly of plains and vast rivers. It is located along vital overland and river trade routes connecting China to India and Southeast Asia, with its capital and largest city Phnom Penh being located at the confluence of major river systems in South Central Cambodia. Cambodia is also known as Kampuchea, which derives from the Sanskrit Kambuja, or Kambujadeśa. The Khmer language is Cambodia’s official and national language.
In 1863, Cambodia became a protectorate of France and remained that way for the next 90 years. Cambodia enjoyed a golden age following its independence from France, but was devastated by the Vietnam War in the late 1960s. The Khmer Rouge (a Communist regime), also known as the Red Khmers, overthrew a pro-American regime in 1975, resulting in between 1.5 and 3 million deaths from hunger, overwork, abuse and executions. In 1979, Vietnam invaded Cambodia and established a 10-year protectorate. The Cambodian-Vietnamese War and the Third Indochina War came to an end on October 23, 1991, when the Paris Peace Agreement was signed.
Cambodia was able to progressively recover from the Khmer Rouge regime, but survivors and their families still bear psychological damage. Between 1975 and 1994, over 158,000 Cambodians fled their homes and came to the United States. Many Cambodians moved to Davidson County from other states with the help of the government and churches.
In order to encourage connection, preserve cultural identity, and allow for religious expression, Saroeung Vay established the Cambodian Cultural Center in Lexington in the 1990s. And to show appreciation and encourage acceptance, the city of Lexington proclaimed April as Cambodian Heritage Month on March 27th, 2023.There are many Cambodian-owned and centered businesses and communities in Davidson county, including: the Greensboro Buddhist Center, which is another popular place for gatherings, Reds Donut, a Cambodian family owned business, and the Cambodian SDA Group in Lexington which is a Christian community.
As someone with Cambodian ancestry, I have great pride in our lengthy history and complex culture. The largest and most significant religious structure in the world, Angkor Wat, is what most people picture when they think of Cambodia. As a reminder of the country’s rich culture, the Cambodian flag depicts Angkor Wat. The history of Cambodia has always been significantly influenced by religion. Cambodia’s history combines Buddhist and Hindu traditions to create a unique Khmer culture that we know today. In Cambodia, there are three types of dance: classical, folk, and social. Dance holds importance because it is an essential part of spiritual life and rites of passage, as well as a popular form of entertainment. Khmer New Years, also known as Choul Chnam Thmey, is Cambodia’s biggest annual celebration. Depending on the “MohaSangkran”, ancient horoscope, it begins on April 13 or 14, which is a three-day public holiday. The cuisine in Cambodia is distinctive and a fusion of many cultures, including those of Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, China, India, and France. A variety of spices, sauces, and flavors, that makes the food intriguing as well as combining different temperatures and textures to produce diverse flavors.
In conclusion, Cambodian culture is detailed and expansive. Offering deep and rich traditions, backgrounds, and customs. All sculpted from a complex history throughout the centuries, and the unique and profound expression of self from the people.
