Khmer is another minority with a relatively large population, with a population of about 800,000. Khmer people live in the southern provinces of Shuozhuang, Charong, Yonglong and Dish, as well as the Vietnam-Cambodia border from Hexian to Xining.
The Khmer people are a nation with a long history and splendid culture. As early as the 7th century, Khmer culture reached its peak in 1 1 and12nd centuries, and its symbol was the splendid Angkor civilization. In fact, Gaomian people were the masters of the Mekong Delta a long time ago. As early as 300 years ago, this land belonged to the real wax country. Zhenla has a vast territory, including Cambodia (then called "Luzhenla") and the Mekong Delta in southern Vietnam (then called "Shuizhenla"). At the end of 17, the occupying power in central Vietnam was incorporated into the territory of Vietnam, and the Vietnamese border extended southward and was adjacent to Zhenla. During the following 100 years, the Ruan Dynasty in southern Vietnam constantly exerted political and military pressure on Zhenla, and the war between the two countries never stopped. Finally, the Mekong Delta was incorporated into the territory of Vietnam, and the Khmer residents living in this area became a nation in Vietnam. However, the social structure, national culture and customs of Khmer residents in Vietnam and Cambodia are still the same.
Khmer residents believe in Buddhism, which is an important part of people's spiritual life. Hinayana Buddhism was introduced in13rd century and later became the orthodox religion of Khmer people. According to statistics, there are about 400 temples and 1 000 monks in Jiulong River Plain where Khmer people live. A man must become a monk before he comes of age. Monks are respected. When parents see them as sons of monks in temples, they must bow down. Monastery is not only a place for chanting and preaching, but also a school for literacy and imparting scientific knowledge. Temples have become the sustenance of people's spiritual life, and the ashes after death should also be sent to temples for preservation. This temple has no land of its own, and all its expenses, including the life of monks, depend on the charity of the villagers. The folk beliefs and sacrificial customs of Khmer people are closely related to Buddhism. Activities related to religion are organized almost every month. Mainly: Water-splashing Festival, Bathing Buddha Festival, etc. On the Mid-Autumn Festival, children will get bananas and glutinous rice slices, and be predicted their luck for one year. Fly banana raft lights and fly kites along the river. Traditional dragon boat races are held in sowing and transplanting seasons to seek rain; When plowing the land for the first time, a ceremony should also be held; The grain festival calls for the soul of the valley, and the image of the soul of the valley is a female Buddha sitting on the back of a rice ear fish.
Khmer villages are very small, generally consisting of several to dozens of houses. There are many coconut trees and sugar palm trees in the village. In Khmer villages, the temple buildings in the center are tall and magnificent, which is more noticeable in simple straw houses. Temple architecture is not only gorgeous, but also unique. There are Buddha statues in the temple, which are vivid and full of national style.
Khmer cottage industries, including textiles and textiles, are famous in some areas, including sericulture, silk weaving and skirt making. The pottery industry is also very developed.
Khmer people, both men and women, usually wear a T-shirt and a long scarf with a checkered pattern, sometimes wrapped around their heads and sometimes over their shoulders. This kind of long scarf has attracted the favor of Vietnamese people, and they have followed suit.
Khmer people's daily diet is mainly japonica rice, fish sauce, vegetables and beans, but there is little meat. During the festival, there are all kinds of meat and fish products, all kinds of cakes, rich and varied, as well as glutinous rice and rice noodles. Khmer people also like to add some condiments to dishes, such as curry, coconut meat, coconut juice and sugar palm fruit.
Khmer residents can sing and dance, and almost all men, women and children can dance. Folk dances include Denton Encouragement, peacock dance, Coconut Oil Dance, Wedding Dance and Divine Dance. Traditional folk dances include Jammer Run, Zhao Rong and Zhele Xi. These dance forms have fixed procedures and high artistic level. Song and dance are inseparable from music. Khmer music is developed under the influence of Indian classical music and Southeast Asian traditional music. Musical instruments include drums, flutes and violins. Among them, the wooden boat piano has its own characteristics.
Khmer folk stories have various themes, among which the famous stories are Zhaoqing Zhaotong, Heipo Mountain Origin, Fupotang, Sister Well and Brother Well. There are also some jokes and fables, the most famous of which is Meng Ze's poem. In addition, it is particularly worth mentioning Baye's literary works, that is, literary works written on leaves, including folk stories, holiday documentaries, folk games, training songs, religious stories and so on.