Sun Correspondent (Lowell, Mass., USA)
LOWELL -- In the Year of the Dog, Cambodian families spend the first night of their three-day New Year celebration waiting for the angel riding on a water buffalo to fly from heaven bringing luck, happiness, prosperity, wealth and good health.
The Lowell Community Charter Public School, with 30 percent of its 720 students being Cambodian, held a New Year's celebration for friends and family yesterday.
"This is time for us to celebrate the life of Buddha," said the school's chief operating officer, Rida Eng, a native of Cambodia. "In the morning, everyone cleans their homes and the community, then they set a table up outside covered in flowers and fruit to receive the angel. Most attend services at the Buddhist temple, then spend the rest of the afternoon celebrating with food, music and games."
Cambodian culture uses the Chinese Zodiac animal calendar to determine which animal the angel will arrive on. Last year was the Year of the Rooster, next year it will be the Year of the Pig.
Cambodian food, provided by parents, covered four long tables. The school community of friends and family feasted on colorful -- and sometimes spicy -- assortments of chicken, rice, vegetables and noodles.
Students played a huge role in the celebration, performing traditional Cambodian dances in authentic costumes.
Second-grade girls kicked off the performance with a dance representing the friendship, solidarity and joyfulness of children's play. They were followed by students in kindergarten through grade 3, who performed a popular upbeat dance traditionally done in Cambodian New Year celebrations worldwide.
Fifth- and sixth-graders performed a dance of greeting and good wishes that was originally performed in Cambodian palaces. The dancers sprinkled flower petals and glitter toward the audience to represent prosperity, peace and good health.
The Lowell Community Charter Public School, with 30 percent of its 720 students being Cambodian, held a New Year's celebration for friends and family yesterday.
"This is time for us to celebrate the life of Buddha," said the school's chief operating officer, Rida Eng, a native of Cambodia. "In the morning, everyone cleans their homes and the community, then they set a table up outside covered in flowers and fruit to receive the angel. Most attend services at the Buddhist temple, then spend the rest of the afternoon celebrating with food, music and games."
Cambodian culture uses the Chinese Zodiac animal calendar to determine which animal the angel will arrive on. Last year was the Year of the Rooster, next year it will be the Year of the Pig.
Cambodian food, provided by parents, covered four long tables. The school community of friends and family feasted on colorful -- and sometimes spicy -- assortments of chicken, rice, vegetables and noodles.
Students played a huge role in the celebration, performing traditional Cambodian dances in authentic costumes.
Second-grade girls kicked off the performance with a dance representing the friendship, solidarity and joyfulness of children's play. They were followed by students in kindergarten through grade 3, who performed a popular upbeat dance traditionally done in Cambodian New Year celebrations worldwide.
Fifth- and sixth-graders performed a dance of greeting and good wishes that was originally performed in Cambodian palaces. The dancers sprinkled flower petals and glitter toward the audience to represent prosperity, peace and good health.
For coverage of Cambodian New Year events, visit http://extras.lowellsun.com/lowellsun/expressions/index.htm.
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