Welcoming New Angels
A look at Khmer culture in Philadelphia
Philadelphia is home to almost 8,000 Cambodian or "Khmer" people. Many of them came as refugees in the early 80s, fleeing a brutal genocide in Cambodia. Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge killed over a quarter of the population in less than four years, working to rid all educated people, reducing the population to only illiterate farmers.
In the aftermath, Cambodians fled to many countries including the US. Many of the refugees lacked education and were suffering from the traumatic experiences of war. Leaving Cambodians distrustful of outsiders and forming reclusive
communities. More than 25 years later, a new Khmer generation has come up in
Philadelphia, rooted in tradition but greatly influenced by their surroundings of often poor neighborhoods.
The new year is one of many festivals celebrated in Theravada Buddhism. The Khmer New Year can be described as a festival to welcome new angels.
Buddhist temples serve as a central point in the Cambodian community. Monks keep the Khmer traditions alive and are revered by their people.
A look at Khmer culture in Philadelphia
Philadelphia is home to almost 8,000 Cambodian or "Khmer" people. Many of them came as refugees in the early 80s, fleeing a brutal genocide in Cambodia. Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge killed over a quarter of the population in less than four years, working to rid all educated people, reducing the population to only illiterate farmers.
In the aftermath, Cambodians fled to many countries including the US. Many of the refugees lacked education and were suffering from the traumatic experiences of war. Leaving Cambodians distrustful of outsiders and forming reclusive
communities. More than 25 years later, a new Khmer generation has come up in
Philadelphia, rooted in tradition but greatly influenced by their surroundings of often poor neighborhoods.
The new year is one of many festivals celebrated in Theravada Buddhism. The Khmer New Year can be described as a festival to welcome new angels.
Buddhist temples serve as a central point in the Cambodian community. Monks keep the Khmer traditions alive and are revered by their people.
© Krystle Marcellus Photography
