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Khmer ethnic people celebrate New Year festival
Khmer ethnic people celebrate New Year festival
6/4/16
Vietnam is a multi-nationality country with 54 ethnic groups.
The Viet (Kinh) people account for 87% of the country’s population and mainly
inhabit the Red River delta, the central coastal delta, the Mekong
delta and major cities. The other 53 ethnic minority groups, totaling over 8
million people, are scattered over mountain areas (covering two-thirds of the
country’s territory) spreading from the North to the South.
Among
ethnic minorities, the most populated are Tay,
Thai, Muong, Hoa, Khmer, Nung... with a population of around 1 million each,
while the least populated are Brau, Roman, Odu with several hundred people
each. A number of ethnic minorities had mastered some farming techniques.
Beliefs and religions of the Vietnamese ethnic minority groups were also
disparate from each other.
However,
a fundamental solidarity among ethnic groups has been established on top of
this difference as a result of a centuries long cooperation on the soil of Vietnam.
Right in the first century of the history, a mutual supplement in economic
relationship between lowland people and mountainous people was formed. This
solidarity had been unceasingly strengthened during wars of resistance for
defending the country. Through the shared struggle for defending and building of
the country and the mutual assistance for co-existence and development, a
common community between the Viet people and other ethnic minority peoples had
been established and continuously consolidated and developed.
Nowadays,
our Government has implemented a lot of policies to maintain and develop the
solidarity and unity between groups in Vietnam.
At
this time, Khmer ethnic people in the southern region gathered in Can Tho city
on April 5 to celebrate the traditional Chol Chnam Thmay New Year festival.
The
event drew numerous Buddhism dignitaries, monks, nuns and followers from 17
cities and provinces in the region.
President
of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan said
the socio-economic development in the region faced a number of difficulties in
2015 and the first quarter of 2016 due to severe drought and saltwater
intrusion.
However,
local authorities have implemented effectively the Party and State’s policies
on ethnic and religious affairs to reduce poverty, ensure social welfares and
develop culture, education-training and health care for Khmer people, he said.
He
called upon Khmer ethnic compatriots to promote solidarity and coordinate with
authorities to overcome setbacks, stabilize their lives, and actively join campaigns
in agriculture, manufacturing and rural development.
At
the same time, it is necessary to preserve and uphold cultural identities and
increase awareness of preventing the “peaceful evolution” plot of hostile
forces to ensure political stability, social order and safety, he said.
The
VFF leader asked the Steering Committee for the Southwestern Region to
implement more effectively the Party and State’s policies and guidelines on
ethnic and religious affairs, while taking better care of locals’ lives, especially
poor households.
Permanent
deputy head of the committee Nguyen Phong Quang said the committee has
coordinated with relevant ministries, sectors and localities in drawing ethnic
and religious policies for the 2016-2020 period.
Chol
Chnam Thmay is one of the most important festivals of the year for the Khmer
people. It usually lasts three days and is celebrated mostly in pagodas.
One
of the most important practices in Chol Chnam Thmay is the Buddha bathing
ceremony. Khmer people also bathe to pray for forgiveness for mistakes made in
the previous year./.
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All comments [ 10 ]
It's wonderful festival that I have ever joined!
This is very important festival to Khmer ethnic people
At the traditional Chol Chnam Thmay New Year festival, a lot of activities are organized to serve everyone
Chol Chnam Thmay usually lasts three days and is celebrated mostly in pagodas.
Khmer ethnic people has a various religious life and the Goverment has created all favourable conditions for them to live their religious life.
We're family and the festival of Khmer ethnic people is also the festival of all Vietnamese people.
A wide range of activities such as folk games, art performances, a food fair, and a workshop on tourism potential will be held during the festival
I have a lot of Khmer friends, they're very friendly and kind!
Vietnam’s Khmer people mainly live in the southwestern region and worship at more than 453 Khmer pagodas.
Vietnamese people are free to follow the religion that they want to follow without any restriction.
Your comments