Many younger people, who are just beginning to learn about the history of Southeast Asia, and Cambodia in particular, probably have heard of the terrible things that happened to Cambodia between the years 1970 and 1979. It was the era when the communist Pol Pot regime took over the country and his ruthless policies – through genocide – slaughtered and starved to death as many as two million Cambodians. All cultural institutions in Cambodia were negatively effected during the Pol Pot period of political history. The movie, "The Killing Fields" brought the horror of that period of history to all parts of the world.
             But today, there is a new spirit of hope in Cambodia, the political criminals who were part of the ghastly killing are on trial for their terrible crimes, and the history of Cambodia and the cultural institutions of Cambodia have much to offer visitors and residents too. This paper will relate to the rituals and institutions that are part of the culture of Cambodia, and the cultural places that are precious to Cambodians, such as Angkor Wat. Also, this paper will review the attitudes of Americans toward Cambodians, and towards Cambodian food and culture.
             NEW YEAR: One of the traditional cultural events in Cambodia, according to research found in Cornell University, is the Cambodian New Year, which takes place April 13 through April 15. This is the dry season in Cambodia, when farmers are not working in their fields as much. In 2008 for the Cambodian Calendar, it is the YEAR OF THE BOAR. The exact time that the New Year will arrive will be determined by astrologers, but before the New Year celebrations, Cambodians will prepare by cleaning their houses, decorating their houses with candles, lights, flowers and star-shaped lanterns.
             PCHUM BEN: this is a religious ceremony that happens in September; it is a time for all Cambodians (through the Buddhist tradition, since most Cambodians are Buddhists) to...