Khmer Krom: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 15:23, 9 December 2024

The Khmer Krom are an ethnic group native to the Mekong Delta region of southern Vietnam. They are ethnically Khmer and are considered part of the larger Khmer people who primarily reside in Cambodia. The term "Khmer Krom" translates to "Khmer from below" or "lower Khmer," referring to their geographical location in the southern part of the historical Khmer Empire.

History[edit]

The Khmer Krom have a long history that dates back to the time of the Khmer Empire, which was one of the most powerful empires in Southeast Asia from the 9th to the 15th century. The Mekong Delta region, where the Khmer Krom reside, was historically part of the Khmer Empire. However, over the centuries, the region came under the control of various powers, including the Vietnamese.

In the 17th century, the Vietnamese began to expand southward in a process known as "Nam tiến" or "southward expansion." This led to the gradual annexation of Khmer territories, including the Mekong Delta. By the 18th century, the area was firmly under Vietnamese control, and the Khmer Krom became a minority in their ancestral lands.

Culture[edit]

The Khmer Krom share many cultural traits with the Khmer people of Cambodia, including language, religion, and customs. They speak the Khmer language, although many are also fluent in Vietnamese due to their location in Vietnam.

Religion[edit]

The majority of Khmer Krom practice Theravada Buddhism, which is also the dominant religion in Cambodia. Buddhism plays a central role in their cultural and spiritual life, with many villages having their own pagodas and monks. The Khmer Krom also celebrate traditional Khmer festivals such as Chaul Chnam Thmey (Khmer New Year) and Pchum Ben.

Current Issues[edit]

The Khmer Krom face several challenges, including issues related to cultural preservation, religious freedom, and land rights. As a minority group in Vietnam, they have often struggled to maintain their cultural identity in the face of assimilation pressures. There have been reports of restrictions on the use of the Khmer language and the practice of Buddhism.

Land rights are another significant issue, as many Khmer Krom have lost their ancestral lands due to government policies and economic development projects. This has led to tensions and protests, as the community seeks to assert their rights and preserve their way of life.

Also see[edit]

Template:Khmer people

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-[[File:Khmer_Krom.jpg|thumb|{{PAGENAME}}]]<br>'''Khmer Krom''' are an ethnic group of Cambodia, primarily residing in the southern regions of Vietnam. They are recognized as the indigenous people of the Mekong Delta. The term "Khmer Krom" translates to "Lower Khmer," or "Southern Khmer."
+[[File:Ethnic territories of Khmer Krom in Vietnam.jpg|thumb]] [[File:Ngo junk of the Khmer people (Tuk ngo).jpg|thumb]] [[File:Vinh Hung tower, Vinh Loi, Bac Lieu.jpg|thumb]] [[File:Flag of KKF.svg|thumb]] {{Infobox ethnic group
+| group = Khmer Krom
+| population = Approximately 1.3 million
+| regions = Southern Vietnam, Cambodia
+| languages = Khmer, Vietnamese
+| religions = Theravada Buddhism, Roman Catholicism
+}}
-== History ==
+The '''Khmer Krom''' are an ethnic group native to the Mekong Delta region of southern Vietnam. They are ethnically Khmer and are considered part of the larger [[Khmer people]] who primarily reside in [[Cambodia]]. The term "Khmer Krom" translates to "Khmer from below" or "lower Khmer," referring to their geographical location in the southern part of the historical Khmer Empire.
-The history of the [[Khmer Krom]] dates back to the pre-Angkorian period when the Mekong Delta was under the control of the Khmer Empire. The region was later annexed by Vietnam in the 17th century, leading to a significant shift in the cultural and political landscape of the Khmer Krom.
+==History==
+The Khmer Krom have a long history that dates back to the time of the [[Khmer Empire]], which was one of the most powerful empires in Southeast Asia from the 9th to the 15th century. The Mekong Delta region, where the Khmer Krom reside, was historically part of the Khmer Empire. However, over the centuries, the region came under the control of various powers, including the Vietnamese.
-== Culture ==
+In the 17th century, the Vietnamese began to expand southward in a process known as "Nam tiến" or "southward expansion." This led to the gradual annexation of Khmer territories, including the Mekong Delta. By the 18th century, the area was firmly under Vietnamese control, and the Khmer Krom became a minority in their ancestral lands.
-The culture of the Khmer Krom is deeply rooted in their Khmer heritage. They practice [[Theravada Buddhism]], the dominant form of Buddhism in Cambodia, and their language, Khmer Krom, is a dialect of the Khmer language. Traditional Khmer Krom music, dance, and art forms play a significant role in their cultural identity.
+==Culture==
+The Khmer Krom share many cultural traits with the Khmer people of Cambodia, including language, religion, and customs. They speak the [[Khmer language]], although many are also fluent in [[Vietnamese language|Vietnamese]] due to their location in Vietnam.
-== Demographics ==
+===Religion===
+The majority of Khmer Krom practice [[Theravada Buddhism]], which is also the dominant religion in Cambodia. Buddhism plays a central role in their cultural and spiritual life, with many villages having their own pagodas and monks. The Khmer Krom also celebrate traditional Khmer festivals such as [[Chaul Chnam Thmey]] (Khmer New Year) and [[Pchum Ben]].
-The Khmer Krom population is estimated to be between 1.3 and 2 million. They primarily reside in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam, with significant communities also found in Cambodia and other parts of Southeast Asia.
+==Current Issues==
+The Khmer Krom face several challenges, including issues related to cultural preservation, religious freedom, and land rights. As a minority group in Vietnam, they have often struggled to maintain their cultural identity in the face of assimilation pressures. There have been reports of restrictions on the use of the Khmer language and the practice of Buddhism.
-== Human Rights Issues ==
+Land rights are another significant issue, as many Khmer Krom have lost their ancestral lands due to government policies and economic development projects. This has led to tensions and protests, as the community seeks to assert their rights and preserve their way of life.
-The Khmer Krom have faced significant human rights issues, particularly in Vietnam. These include restrictions on their freedom of expression, assembly, and association, as well as their right to maintain their cultural identity and practices.
-== See Also ==
+==Also see==
 * [[Khmer people]]
 * [[Khmer Empire]]
+* [[Theravada Buddhism]]
 * [[Mekong Delta]]
-* [[Theravada Buddhism]]
+* [[Vietnamese language]]
-== References ==
-<references />
+{{Ethnic groups in Vietnam}}
+{{Khmer people}}
 [[Category:Ethnic groups in Vietnam]]
-[[Category:Ethnic groups in Cambodia]]
+[[Category:Khmer people]]
 [[Category:Indigenous peoples of Southeast Asia]]
-{{Asia-stub}}
-{{Cambodia-stub}}
-{{Vietnam-stub}}