2009 Khmer (Cambodian) New Year
in Oregon, Wisconsin
in Oregon, Wisconsin
Videography by Dennis Alfred M. Pascual
On April 18, 2009, the Cambodian community in Wisconsin celebrated their New Year at the Buddhist
temple in Oregon, Wisconsin. It was the first day of a two-day event highlighting Khmer religious and family
traditions, as well as culture and music. On this day, families, with members dressed in their traditional clothes,
brought home-cooked ethnic dishes for sharing. The day started with spiritual blessing and prayers inside the
temple, with two monks presiding. There were food offerings before the monks and Buddha's altar while one of
the monks led with a "homily." After the monks finished lunch, people started to line up at the long buffet table
outside the temple. The day-long festivities featured Cambodian dances and music by a Khmer orchestra, and
for the first time, a Khmer hip-hop group that's in town for a competition in Madison. -- HM Pascual
On April 18, 2009, the Cambodian community in Wisconsin celebrated their New Year at the Buddhist
temple in Oregon, Wisconsin. It was the first day of a two-day event highlighting Khmer religious and family
traditions, as well as culture and music. On this day, families, with members dressed in their traditional clothes,
brought home-cooked ethnic dishes for sharing. The day started with spiritual blessing and prayers inside the
temple, with two monks presiding. There were food offerings before the monks and Buddha's altar while one of
the monks led with a "homily." After the monks finished lunch, people started to line up at the long buffet table
outside the temple. The day-long festivities featured Cambodian dances and music by a Khmer orchestra, and
for the first time, a Khmer hip-hop group that's in town for a competition in Madison. -- HM Pascual