Classes keep the fire of Khmer culture alive

A class of Khmer language held in a local resident's house. Photo giaoducthoidai

CẦN THƠ – Khmer cultural identity and language are being passed down through free classes in the Mekong Delta's Cần Thơ City.

These classes not only teach the language, but also spread the beautiful traditional culture of the Khmer people.

Cờ Đỏ District is home to many Khmer people, however while many can speak their mother tongue, often they cannot read or write it.

In Thới Xuân Commune, children who want to learn Khmer usually have to go to the temple, but that is some distance away and often too far for them to travel.

Therefore, respected people in the Khmer community have established classes to teach Khmer to the children.

During the summer, the house of Đào Hoa,70, living in Thới Trường 1 Hamlet, Thới Xuân Commune, Cờ Đỏ District, is filled with the sound of children learning to read Khmer.

The class is equipped with desks, chairs, a blackboard which prominently displays a poster with the Khmer alphabet.

Sharing his thoughts on turning his home into a summer classroom, Hoa was quoted by giaoducthoidai.vn as saying: "We strive to teach the children to appreciate and understand Khmer culture.

“In the past, Khmer language classes were held at the temple during the summer, but because of the distance, parents could not bring their children regularly, resulting in low attendance.”

So Hoa and his wife volunteered to let their home be used as a classroom. Desks and chairs were bought from a nearby school, but other furniture was made by Hoa. During breaks in classes the couple also prepare sweets for the children.

"Our constant concern is how to ensure that the children learn the Khmer script, their native language and understand traditional Khmer culture, festivals and customs," he added.

Supporting her husband in setting up the home classroom, Danh Thị Hiền said: "We are passionate about preserving our cultural heritage, so we have been running this Khmer language class at home every summer for two years now."

The classes are held every morning, except the last day and the first day of each lunar month.

In the summer of 2023, 34 children attended Hoa’s class and at the end of the course, 30 of them completed the study. This year, 27 children enrolled in the class, ranging from 8 to 14 years old, all from Thới Xuân Commune.

Along with teaching Khmer language, the children also learn traditional Khmer dances and songs.

Nurturing the love for Khmer Culture

Students are offered candy during break of the class. Photo giaoducthoidai.vn

The class at Hoa's house is taught by Thạch Diễm and Danh Hở, both experienced and respected people in the Khmer community who volunteer their time to teach Khmer writing.

Diễm, 60, said that although he is getting older and still has farming work, he spends the rest of his time teaching children how to read and write Khmer.

"Most of the Khmer children in the hamlet speak Khmer fluently but cannot read or write. I have experience teaching monks, so the community trusts me,” Diễm said.

“Despite being busy with farming, I make an effort to contribute my knowledge by teaching Khmer writing to the children."

Equally dedicated to preserving the Khmer script, Hở also participates in teaching.

He explained that during the summer months, the teachers instruct the children in reading, writing and basic communication skills in Khmer. The encouraging sign is that the children are very diligent and attentive in class and busy with reading and writing.

After some time, the students' handwriting in Khmer has become very neat and beautiful.

Sơn Gia Bảo, an 8th grader, shared that besides improving his reading and writing, he also learns Khmer dances and songs in the class.

"I have been attending this Khmer language class for two summers now. It is a lot of fun. I am learning to read and write in my ethnic script. At home, I also speak Khmer with my grandparents and parents," Bảo said.

In the class, there is a special student, Lý Đào Thanh Phong, a 9-year-old student at Đặng Tấn Tài Secondary School in Thủ Đức City, HCM City. Phong's mother is from Thới Xuân Commune, and his father is from Long An Province and his whole family currently lives in HCM City.

Phong has a deep love for his mother's native Khmer language and script, as well as the culture of his maternal grandparents.

Last summer, when he learned that there was a Khmer language class in his maternal grandparents' village, an excited Phong asked his parents to let him attend.

"When I went back to my grandparents' village, I made many new friends and got to experience the fascinating river and countryside life. Most importantly, I learned the Khmer script. Now, I can confidently read and write in Khmer," Phong said.

Khmer language classes in temple

Monk Kim Tấn Tài teaches a Khmer language class. Photo giaoducthoidai

In addition to community classes, many temples in Cần Thơ City offer free Khmer language classes.

In the remote area of Vĩnh Thạnh District, Samaki Temple has been running summer Khmer language classes for many years.

Danh Phước who teaches in the classes, explained that most of the students could neither read nor write Khmer and had poor pronunciation.

Therefore, he focused on teaching them how to blend sounds, pronounce correctly and write properly.

Despite difficulties with facilities, the local authorities and dedicated teachers work together to provide students with the necessary knowledge to preserve their ethnic culture.

"I dedicate my summer to teaching the students, hoping to give them a strong foundation in their culture. By the end of the course, they are able to speak, read and write," said Phước.

Danh Thị Minh Châu, an 11th grader at Thốt Nốt High School, could not hide her joy at attending the Khmer language class at Samaki Temple.

The summer-long class helped her improve her reading, writing and speaking skills in Khmer and for Châu to gain a deeper understanding of traditional customs and rituals.

"I will strive to excel in my studies and moral conduct. As a bilingual Khmer-Việt student, I am sincerely grateful to the teachers for their dedication over the past three months, giving us the opportunity to learn the Khmer script," Châu said.

Located in Ninh Kiều District, Munir Ansay Temple remains vibrant at night with its Khmer language classes.

The decision to offer Khmer classes is a passion project of Venerable Trần Sol, the abbot of Munir Ansay Temple.

Monk Kim Tấn Tài, who teaches Khmer at Munir Ansay Temple, said: "Many families still converse in Khmer at home, and the children are very good at speaking, so they learn the script quickly."

Even university students who attend the class show great enthusiasm and learn quickly.

According to the monk, teaching Khmer at the temple helps preserve the cultural values of the Khmer people.

By equipping students with knowledge of their language and script, they can better preserve their cultural heritage.

Participating in the class at Munir Ansay Temple, Trần Thị Minh Thảo, a student at FPT College in Cần Thơ City, was thrilled: "It’s wonderful that the temple offers Khmer classes because we only learn the common language at school. I signed up to improve my vocabulary, knowledge and understanding of my culture and traditions."

Not only do they preserve traditional cultural values, but Munir Ansay Temple also supports generations of poor students who are eager to learn.

As well as lessons being free at various locations in Cần Thơ City, and maintained through social contributions, donations are given to teachers to buy notebooks and learning materials.

These efforts significantly contribute to preserving and promoting Khmer culture in the region.

Permanent vice chairman of the Patriotic Monks’ Solidarity Association of Cần Thơ City, Venerable Lý Hùng, noted that the association collaborates with local authorities and organisations to support students in improving their knowledge of the Khmer language.

In Cần Thơ City, summer Khmer language classes are taught by 23 monks and 19 teachers across seven temples and concentrated residential areas.

In the summer of 2024, 218 students received certificates of completion from the Khmer language courses.

At the end of the summer classes, all students met the requirements to speak, have understanding and to write common Khmer words.

Venerable Lý Hùng hopes that the free Khmer language classes will continue and be sustained for a long time.

He emphasised the need for the attention of revered monks, abbots and temple management boards, as well as government support for policies that help Khmer children preserve their language, script and cultural identity. VNS