Dancers at the Khmer Student Association heritage dinner. Charlene Davatos // AS Review
By Charlene Davatos
Petals lined the tables at the Khmer Student Association’s ninth annual New Year Show on April 20, giving blessings to the attendees.
The theme for the show was “The Legend Behind Khmer New Year”, explaining the origins of the Cambodian new year, which occurred April 14 to 16.
“It’s important that the community knows of our traditions and the origins behind it,” Ian Chandra Lim, KhSA public relations officer, said.
Pip Choun, KhSA vice president, wrote the play. “Our values go deeply back to Buddhism, and this year I wanted to go back to tradition,” Choun said. “Instead of having modern themes and shows, it was really important for us this year to teach and respect our roots.”
The show was held in three acts, punctuated by traditional dances. The Robam Jun Por, or Blessing Dance, started off the evening, greeting and offering good wishes to the audience.
University of Washington’s KhSA was in attendance, and performed the Robam Janhtria, or Moon Dance. Erika Ey, club president, said she was glad that the UW KhSA was able to attend the event.
“They have been our sister organization, and they are always there for us. We’re glad we’re able to celebrate this together,” she said.
The dancers wore traditional Khmer clothing, including sampot châng kbens, pants tied together from raw fabric, and chang pongs, traditional blouses which are also worn by being tied together.
The show followed a retelling of the folktale explaining the Khmer New Year. Audiences watched as Dhammabal Koma, the protagonist, and King of Gods, Kabil Moha Prum, challenged one another in a battle of wits. Austin Langsy, Christian Diga, Erika Ey, Irene Bibian, Stephen Oun and Quynh Trinh starred.
On Rice catered the dinner and included vegetarian fried rice, jasmine white rice, tofu pad thai, tofu pad see ew, papaya salad and larb salad.
The KhSA also held an auction for three baskets, themed Cambodia, Western and New Years.
Ey said that the event took most of winter quarter to plan.
“It felt great seeing all the hard work come together, and I hope everyone enjoyed it as much as we did,” Ey said.
The KhSA holds general meetings every Monday in Academic West 305 at 7 p.m.