Cambodian Community Day

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    12739 Knightsbridge Dr Woodbridge, VA 22192

    Ben Bao:      (571) 276-9630
    Sophia Tep:  (571) 422-7972
    Chanthary Koch:  (202) 390-9016
    Ithara Phlong: (240) 888-1053
    Email: ccdinfo@cambodiancommunityday.org

     

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Welcome to CCD

Cambodian Community Day (CCD) is a 501(c)(3) Charitable Organization established to promote, present and preserve our rich Cambodian culture. CCD seeks to integrate Khmer culture into American society to ensure the continuation of Cambodian cultural heritage, especially among Cambodian-American youths. We also work to strengthen Cambodian voice, empower Cambodian communities, bridge distances, heal rifts and build bonds among Khmers and other ethnic groups.

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Cambodian Cultural Night

The Cambodian Cultural Night is an event featuring a theatrical masked dance drama, Cambodian traditional dances, the “.”, that is based on the Cambodian poetry book of the 16th century, the “Khmer Reamker”.

Due to COVID-19 Pandemic that still exists in 2021, this event has been CANCELLED.

 

MC Cultural Arts Center at Montgomery College Takoma Park/Silver Spring

 7995 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring MD 20910

 

Saturday, July 18, 2020, 4:00 to 10:00 PM
Saturday, July 17, 2021, 4:00 to 10:00 PM

 

Click here to learn more about what is Lakhon Khol.

Click here for a brief summary of the Cambodian theatrical masked dance drama, the "Lakhon Khol".

Cambodian Genocide Memorial

We have joined a partnership with Ratanaransi Buddhist Temple, Virginia, and a group of Cambodian enthusiasts to build a Cambodian genocide memorial at Ratanaransi Buddhist Temple ground.

Learn more...

President Message: Happy Cambodian Cultural Festival

ben pic
DearFriends and Families,

Welcome to the Cambodian Cultural Festival 2018. On behalf of Cambodian Community Day (CCD) members and Board of Directors, It is our pleasure to invite you to come and join us at Cambodian Festival on Sunday October 7, 2018 to celebrate our rich culture and heritage. 2018 is a remarkable year for us at CCD. We work so hard to promote, present, and preserve Cambodian culture in America and elswhere in the world. 

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 Click here for CCD performance schedule.

Click here for an offsite parking information.

Yeekae Kolab Pailin

yeekae kolab pailinWelcome to the Cambodian Cultural Festival of 2018. It is free and open to all. This year, we bring you another type of entertainment: a Yeekae entitled “Kolab Pailin”. Yeekae is a Cambodian musical show that tells a story through a traditional music and dance. It also faces extinction. The story is a Cambodian literature written by Mr. Nhok Them. It contains lots of cultural and educational values. Never before the story is used in a form of Yeekae (yike) art. We are the first one.
 
 
What is Yeekae?   

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The story of "Kolab Pailin" 

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The Khmer Magic Music Bus

khmer magic music busA group of Cambodian musicians, the Khmer Magic Music Bus, will be visiting USA from October 24 to November 13, 2018. It is part of "arts4peace" tour organized by Cambodian Living Arts. CCD will host a meet-n-greet event at Cambodian Buddhist Temple of Silver Spring, 13800 New Hampshore Ave, Silver Spring MD 20904 Sunday November 11, 2018 2-5 PM. Contact Kunthary DeGaiffier 202-413-6461.
 

Click here for flyer.

Lakhon Bassac "Tip Sangva"

lakhon bassacWelcome to the Cambodian Cultural Festival of 2017. It is free and open to all. Whether you have an earnest desire to learn more about the rich Cambodian culture, the oldest in Southeast Asia, or simply are looking to have fun for one Sunday, this is an event you do not want to miss. This year, among many other dances, we have a pleasure to bring you a Cambodian traditional dance opera entitled Lakhon Bassac "Tip Sangva". This type of Cambodian entertainment was once popular in Cambodia in the old days, but now, according to UNESCO, it is almost extinct. Our mission is to promote, present and preserve Cambodian culture. This year we have a great opportunity to do just that to revitalize this traditional entertainment. 
 
What is Lakhon Bassac?   

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The story of "Tip Sangva" 

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The Story of Tum Teav

tum teav

Tum Teav story is not a legend or a make-up story. It is based on a true story that actually happened during the Cambodia Lonvek era, an obscure era following a downfall of the glorious Angkor era starting from 1431. Lonvek era ends in 1593 when Cambodia moved its capital from Lonvek in the province of Kampong Chhnang to Oudong in the province of Kampong Speu after Siam conquered it.
We do not know exactly in what year the story happened. Most Cambodians believe to be a 16th century tragic love story that captured Cambodian people’s attention. The story had been told by word of mouth until a written version came to life in the early 20th century. According to the Cambodian Buddhist Institute, a well-known research and publication organization in Cambodia, there are two versions of the story. 

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VOA Coverage of CCD 15th Anniversary

CCD group

We have reached a milestone this year because tonight marks 15 years that CCD has been in existence, promoting, presenting and preserving Cambodian culture and its arts in the Washington DC metro area. We could not have accomplished this without Khmer community in the area. We are so grateful for their continuing support. 
Our annual Cambodian Community Day attracts thousands of people of each year. It is a showcase of programs that promote the vitality of Khmer arts and culture. CCD does not receive any grants from any organizations or government. We only receive small donation from the public. The sheer energy to produce these shows and programs are from all our dedicated volunteers who share the same passion and philosophy. They have an exemplary mindset to serve others without wanting anything in return.

Their dedication to the community and mission to CCD can be summed up in this video presentation.

Many thanks to VOA Khmer news for covering this event. Click here to watch the event coverage.

Angkor Wat best tourist attraction in the world

angkor wat
Angkor Wat was just named the best tourist attraction in the world. Lonely Planet just announced its list of the 500 best attractions on the planet, and Cambodia's Temples of Angkor took first place.
;
 

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Boat found in Siem Reap believed to be 800 years old

CCD group

An ancient boat discovered in March in Siem Reap province’s Angkor Thom district, which until now perplexed scientists over its origin, has been identified as being built more than 800 years ago. It was made in 1207 AD, according to carbon dating results announced on Friday June 24, 2016. The 809-year-old vessel was carved from a single tree trunk during the reign of King Jayavarman VII.

 

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A Special Concert of Cambodian Musicians Sunday May 1st, 2016

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A performance of Cambodia's most outstanding young musicians from the Cambodian Living Arts (CLA) is taking place on Sunday, May 1st from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM at the Cambodian Buddhist Temple 13800 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20904. Admission is free. Please RSVP at https://cla-washington-may01.eventbrite.com.
 
You have an opportunity to meet Arn Chorn Pond, the founder of CLA. He will give a short lecture on his personal story "Child of War, Man of Peace" and discuss how music saved his life as a child under the Khmer Rouge regime and how he has since used music and the arts to spearhead the recovery and growth of Cambodia's traditional arts.
 
This is a unique opportunity for us of the DC area to meet the group. They were the ones who organized the Season of Cambodia in New York City in 2013. For more information about CLA, please visit their site: http://www.cambodianlivingarts.org/
 
Click here for the flyer.

Phare, The Cambodian Circus US Tour

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September 14  November 2, 2015

Siem Reap Cambodia, September 2, 2015. Phare, The Cambodian Circus is proud to announce that it will conduct its first tour of the USA between September 26 and November 2, 2015. The centerpiece of the tour will be performances of Khmer Metal, a critically acclaimed production internationally, at the Ringling International Arts Festival in Sarasota, Florida on October 16, 17 and 18, 2015. It will also perform Khmer Metal at selected venues in Northern and Southern California and in Washington, DC.

About Phare.

 

 

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Culture and Heritage News

Airborne laser reveals hidden city in Cambodia

Towers of the legendary Angkor Wat temple are seen north of Siem Reap provincial town, about 230 kilometers, 143 miles, northwest of the capital Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

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The Origin of the Number Zero

Deep in the jungle, an intrepid scholar locates a symbol of power and mystery.

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More News



 

For a limited time only, Rose Armour, an independent distributor of Forever Living Products, will donate 35% of sales generated through CCD if you email the order confirmation to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Buy Forever Living Products and help your community. Great gifts for Mother's Day and every occasion are available.

 

 
 


Story of "Tip Sangva"

by Ben Bao, edited by Chanthary Koch

Lakhon Bassac "Tip Sangva" was performed at Cambodian Buddhist temple, Silver Spring MD during the Cambodian Festival September 10, 2017. Click here for the video performance.

There is no written version of “Tip Sangva” story. It is a legend or an artistic story by word of mouth, from generation to generation. The story has been re-told through many types of traditional Khmer entertainment, such as Yeekae, Lakhon Bassac, or by a vocalist of Chapei Dang Veng (a long-neck, two-string guitar). The following write-up is based on the account of some Cambodian people, including the master of a show that produced Lakhon Bassac. As always, our purpose is to turn a story (true or legendary) into a performing act for entertainment. So, there will be acts that may or may not be mentioned in the story.  This is how the story goes.

Once upon a time, there was a kingdom ruled by a King and a Queen. They have one son, the Prince. One day, the King and Queen, along with their entourage and soldiers, took the young Prince to sightsee in a coastal area. While they were enjoying themselves, they had not noticed the gigantic eagle flying over in the sky with its eyes on the child Prince. In a flash, the eagle dove down, and with his claws, grabbed the Prince and flew away toward the dense forest. The King and Queen cried for help while their entourage looked up to the sky helplessly.

Far from the coast and deep in a jungle, there lived a “Ta Eisey,” an old hermit who lives in a remote and secluded place, inaccessible to most people. (Ta Eisey is a legendary person believed to possess magical powers and martial arts skills.) While enlightening his magic and fighting skills in the area, he saw the eagle with the child. He recited a magic spell causing the eagle to losie its grip on the child, who then fell from the sky into Ta Eisey’s arms. He brought the child to his cottage, named him Chao Phirun. Through his magical powers, Ta Eisey knew who the child’s parents were, and could also foresee the child’s future. Instead of returning the Prince to his parents (at least not at this time), he decided to raise him and to teach him magical powers and fighting skills. Ta Eisey would not have done that if he could foresee that his student lacked the ability to become a good person in the future. To keep Chao Phirun from being too lonely, from his magical powers Ta Eisey created for Chao Phirun a servant/companion from cow waste (this humorous part is in most Cambodian legends), and, named him “Akaing,” who will become the comic character in the story.

Chao Phirun grew up to be a fine, handsome young man. He was very diligent. He had learned all virtues, magic, and fighting skills, and had reached the highest level possible. He began to ask his master about his origin. Ta Eisey thought that the time was finally right and began to tell him the true story. Chao Phirum felt great sadness and longed to see his parents. He asked Ta Eisey for permission to travel and search for them. Akaing also asked to accompany Chao Phirun. Ta Eisey agreed. After a blessing ceremony, Chao Phirun and Akaing set off on their journey through the dense forest in search of his country and his family.

There existed the Kingdom of Ketchampou Borey ruled by King Aphaisorya and Queen Phaisomaly. They had a beautiful daughter named Tip SangvaSangva. King Aphaisorya was a powerful king and a great warrior. Neighboring countries dared not challenge his power. Having no son, he proceeded to teach his only daughter, Tip Sangva, all the fighting skills until she became a skilled fighter, just like him. Unfortunately, there was one regulation in the Kingdom, passed down from their ancestors, that stated that a woman could not be a war general to lead any fighting, in case of war. The commanding general must be a man. Tip SangvaSangva, although as skilled and as powerful as her father, could only fight along with other soldiers, but could never be a commander.

Another kingdom was ruled by an ogre, called Yeak. In Cambodian myth and folk tales, Yeak is a half monster/half human, large, grotesque, predatory, and flesh-eating including human beings and animals. His name is Pinreach. He had one son named Veyroth. Both were powerful warriors. Yeak Pinreach had been a friend of King Aphaisorya’s. When Tip Sangva reached adulthood, Yeak Pinreach asked permission for his son, Yeak Veyroth, to marry Tip Sangva, but the latter refused. This refusal made both Yeaks very unhappy and hostile toward King Aphaisorya. However, since they were not as powerful as King Aphaisorya, they were unwilling to wage war on the Kingdom of Ketchampou Borey. They must wait for the opportunity to take place.

One day, King Aphaisorya became severely ill. The Kingdom of Ketchampou Borey was now vulnerable to foreign attacks. Yeak Pinreach and his son Veyroth learned the situation at Ketchampou Borey. They waged war to capture Tip Sangva and to force her to marry Yeak Veyroth. King Aphaisorya was deeply troubled by the declaration, called for a special royal cabinet meeting in search of strategies to defend his country. Tip Sangva begged her father to allow her to lead the fighting against the Yeaks. The King refused, because to do so would break the ancestors’ rule that would result in severe unrest in war, famine, and diseases in the country. The King’s officials were speechless and numb. The King then turned to his personal advisor, Preah Borohet, a high-ranking religious leader. Preah Borohet told him to conduct a prayer ceremony requesting the spirits of ancestors for help. The spirits heard the prayer and came down in a dream to Princess Tip Sangva, asking her to go and fetch a ring from a sacred place. The next day, Tip Sangva following an instruction in her dream, found a ring. When she wore it, she became man. When she took it off, she became a woman again. She told her father, her mother, and all warriors about the dream. They were all happy. They called Tip Sangva Prince Sangva Vong when she wore the ring and became a man.

Tip Sangva and Sangva Vong

The day of fighting arrived. Princess Tip Sangva wore the ring and became Prince Sangva Vong. He led an army from Ketchampou Borey to fight the Yeaks’ army in the battlefield. When Yeak Pinreach saw Sangva Vong, he questioned his identity and looked down upon him as an inexperienced, unknown, unheard-off fighter who dared to fight with him. He ordered his son to fight and kill Sangva Vong. To his surprise, Yeak Veyroth was defeated. Yeak Pinreach became very angry. He began fighting Sangva Vong. The fighting went on for a while.

Yeak Pinreach, who was a powerful warrior, defeated Sangva Vong and attempted to kill him. Chao Phirun and his servant Akaing were travelling nearby and saw the fighting. He stopped yeak Pinreach from killing Sangva Vong. He asked both parties the reason for the fighting. Sangva Vong explained to Chao Phirun that Yeak Pinreach had intended to invade the Kingdom of Ketchampou Borey, capture Princess Tip Sangva, and force her to marry his son. Chao Phirun asked for a response to this accusation from Yeak Pinreach who angrily confirmed that this was true. Wanting to defend a good cause, Chao Phirun got involved, fought, and defeated Yeak Pinreach.

Sangva Vong thanked Chao Phirun for saving his life. Chao Phirun developed an affection toward Sangva Vong, asked him if he would like to be his adopted brother. Sangva Vong accepted. They led the army back to the city. Along the way, they got tired, stopped and rested near a river. Sangva Vong sneaked out to bathe in the river. Chao Phirun woke up, did not see Sangva Vong, and went to look for him. He saw Tip Sangva bathing in the river. Tip Sangva realized that Chao Phirun was around, ran away, and wore the ring which turned her back into Sangva Vong. Chao Phirun chased the beautiful young woman whom he had just seen and disappeared, only to find Sanva Vong. He asked if Sangva Vong had seen a young woman running by. Sangva Vong denied having seen one. Falling in love, Chao Phirun was determined to go and look for her. He asked Sanva Vong to help him, but the latter refused, citing that he must hurry up to see his ill father. Disappointed by this refusal, and in attempt to convince Sangva Vong that he must help him find the beautiful lady, he grabbed Sangva Vong’s arms and begged him. In doing so, the ring came off from Sangva Vong’s finger, and appearing before him was the beautiful lady Chao Phirum was looking for. Tip Sangva told Chao Phirun the truth. They both fell in love. They could not wait to reach to the royal palace and to ask her parents for marriage.

Again, along the way, they stopped and rested. There was a female giant (in Khmer, we pronounce “Yeakheney”, another fictional character in Khmer legends that has the look and behavior similar to the “Yeak”) nearby. She saw Chao Phirun and fell in love. She cast a spell on Tip Sangva and dragged her away. Yeakheney then disguised as Tip Sangva and laid down beside him. After waking up, they continued their trip. Chao Phirun noticed a different behavior by Tip Sangva. He suspected that something had happened. He tricked her. and uncovered her true identity. He fought and scared Yeakheney away. Later, Chao Phirun and Tip Sangva were reunited and continued their trip until they reached the palace where they both were happily greeted by King Aphaisorya and Queen Phaisomaly. The King and Queen realized that Chao Phirun was the ill-fated son of their good friends. So, he sent his messenger to the kingdom of Chao Phirun’s parents who were very happy to receive the news. They came to Ketchampou Borey. The Kings and Queens of both kingdoms married their son and daughter and they all lived happily ever after.

Lakhon Bassac show for Cambodian Cultural Festival, September 10, 2017

These are the songs that will be used in a traditional Cambodian Opera called Lakhon Bassac. The title of the story is Tip Sangva. The show will be performed during the Cambodian Festival in September 2017. 

Story written by Ben Bao based on a legend told by word of mouth.

Music was produced by students of the university of Fine Arts, Lakhon Bassac Unit. Cambodian Community Day pays for the production. Songs lyric and dialogs are mostly written by Ben Bao. Lakhon Bassac Unit modifies some of the contents to suit the rythm of the songs, but the main idea remains as in the original plan. 

song 1: Yeak Pinreach summoned his son

song 2: Yeak Veyroth on the way to attend his father

Song 3: King Aphay Soriya call for a meeting

Song 4: Tip Sangva goes to attend the meeting

Song 5: King Aphay Soriya asks To lead the army

Song 6: Chao Phirun and Ta Eisey

Song 7: Chao Phirun journey

Song 8: The battle of yeaks and Tip Sangva

Song 9: Chao Phirun discovers Sangva Vong is Tip Sangva


 

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You Can Help

All donations are tax-deductible to the extent of the law. A financial statement is available upon written request from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer services, Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs.

 

 

Communities

VOA News Coverage - CCD 2012 (click on pictures)

Voice of America/Khmer: Dr Chanthourn Thuy

A Khmer Archaeologist visited USA in July 2012 to present his research finding about ancient iron smelter in Cambodia to Cambodian-American communities. One of his stop was Washington, DC Metro area. 


 

Voice of America Interviewed Ms Sophia Tep, CCD Vice-President

Click the picture to read and play the video.


Sam Relief Dec 2012 Newsletter

Sam Relief was very busy in early April of 2012 and has delivered another 10 tons of rice to Angkor Children Hospital at Siem Reap.


Women's Health Study: http://mapa.nur.utexas.edu


Replica of Angkor Wat

We have bought a replica of Angkor Wat (picture shown above). It is a sculpture made out from stone, by a sculptor in Pursat province, Cambodia. It is 1.3 meter long, 1.1 meter wide and .35 meter high. It took more than 2 months to complete the sculpture. Click the picture to enlarge.


Phare Ponleu Selpak

Phare Ponleu Selpak (website: www.phareps.org) is a Cambodian association providing artistic activities to children and adults around the Battambang vicinity. The artistic fields are: performing arts (circus, theater, dancing, music), visual arts (cartoon animation, painting contemporary, illustration and graphic design) and social actions (governmental school pre-school through high school, child care center, and transitional youth house). Learn more ...

Khmer Music Festival

Thank you for coming to our Khmer Music Festival on Saturday September 5th 2015

Click here to see photo gallery.

2015 Miss Cambodian American DC

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Talented Cambodians

Khmer Culture Related News

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Worldwide Perspectives

CCD Nurtures friendship building and community networking and unifies all people of all walks of life.