Identifying cultural identity of Khmer people through Chol Cham Thmay festival in Loc Ninh district, Binh Phuoc province

Abstract

The Khmer, an ethnic group belonging to Mon-Khmer language family, has
resided in the Mekong Delta, Southeast provinces of Viet Nam, and Ho Chi Minh City for a
long time. Shared features with other Khmer people in various regions, the Khmer community
in Loc Ninh district, Binh Phuoc province is characterized by the richness and variety of their
traditional culture with unique values. In particular, Chol Chnam Thmay is regarded as a
traditional festival that contains various typical elements, reflecting their most distinctive
cultural characteristics through their customs, beliefs, arts, bonds among their community.
The article is aimed at examining and analyzing the festival’s features in Loc Ninh district, Binh
Phuoc, then, making suggestions on preserving and promoting the Khmer group’s identity in
the current context.