'Reflections' of Cambodian culture

Various Cambodian dances and songs were performed in the TSU

By: Craig Grossman and Paulina Woods

The pomp and circumstance of Cambodian culture was on display in the Cal State Fullerton Titan Student Union Pavilions for a performance-revue of "Reflections of Our Past."

Members of the Cambodian Student Association organized the event and put on a colorful spectacle of festive dances, songs and drama in the associations' first performance at CSUF in five years. Some members of the audience represented a large number of universities from across Southern California, including students from Cal Poly Pomona, Fresno State, Long Beach State, UCLA, UC Santa Barbara, UC San Diego and Stanford. Angelica Keam, 21, is the president of CSUF's Cambodian Student Association. She is also the main organizer of "Reflections of our Past" and has been spearheading this event for quite some time."This event took about three to four months to prepare," said Keam, a public relations major who indicated that the event was funded by restaurants in Long Beach. "There have been a total of 30 performers [in the CSUF association] and 10-15 extra helpers."In addition to the performances, a wide array of Cambodian food was available to guests against one of the side walls, which included beef sticks, bread cakes and pork and beef sandwiches, among other items.At the beginning of "Reflections of Our Past," dancers from The Spirit of Khmer Angkor of the Cambodian Association of America performed the Blessing Dance, a five-to-10-minute traditional opening of Cambodian ceremonies and events in which wishes of goodwill are offered to the audience. During the course of the three-member dance troupe performance, they proceeded to toss flower petals from small silver trays."These ladies represent angels and they're blessing the audience," said Keam, who indicated that these dancers have been dancing for six years. "And we do this as a ritual for our events - basically to welcome the guests, welcome the audience. And the petals represent blessings wishing a happy year, happy life and to have a good time tonight."Following the Blessing Dance, CAA members performed as chhayam drummers. In this pulsating and energetic performance, the drummers served to represent Khmer peasants and farmers who are coalescing to celebrate their productive harvest and to express a loving spirit."It's [the chhayam drumming performance] another welcoming dance and is more on the comedic side," Keam said. "It's also used for welcoming guests, lighting up the mood and having people get together."

Class was "in session" in the next act for "Cambodian Culture 101." This act opened with about seven students who were commiserating on stage while initially discussing the musings of Britney Spears. Eventually, the students were challenged by the instructor to engage in more thought-provoking conversation and they discussed "generation 1.5," which refers to those who immigrate and bring culture to a country before their early teens.Dion Bagaporo, 25, attended "Reflections of Our Past" not only to watch the performances, but also to support his girlfriend."I thought they [the performances] were interesting," said Bagaporo, a CSUF graduate who's the boyfriend of one of the coordinators, Melinda Ung. "I've seen them a couple times. It's a way better setup than Gabrieleno."Authors of "Cambodians in Long Beach," Susan Needham, Ph.D and Karen Quintiliani, Ph.D were also in attendance to watch the event and sign copies of their book outside of TSU Pavillions. Long Beach is home to the second largest Cambodian community outside of Asia."This is a book that traces the history of Cambodians through photographs and small narratives," said Quintiliani who, along with Needham, researched Cambodians from Long Beach for their book for about a year. "It contextualizes the photographs in the broader history of the community."The "Reflections of our Past" event marks the three-day Cambodian New Year holiday, which traditionally lasts from April 13-15.