CAMBODIANS
Greensboro was selected by the federal government to be a primary
Cambodian resettlement site in the early 1980s. An initial group of about
200 Cambodians was resettled in an attempt to establish an ethnic
D I D YO U K N O W ?
community whose members could assist one another. That community
• Khmer is the ethnic term for
has remained stable and grown to several hundred people. Additional
most of the people from
Cambodia, as well as the name
Cambodians moved to Davidson County from other states, expanding the
of their primary language.
Cambodian community in the Triad to about 1,500 people.
• About 800 years ago there
These refugees were survivors from the trauma caused by the Chinese
Communist, Khmer Rouge holocaust. The U.S. supported government in
Cambodia had been overthrown in 1975, and in the late 1970s, the Khmer
Rouge slaughtered millions of Cambodians in their attempt to establish a new
society. The upper classes, intellectuals, and former U.S. military supporters
were especially targeted for elimination. Most of the Cambodians who came
to the United States
were rice farmers
was a Khmer civilization centered around Angkor Wat that
was larger than European cities
of that period. Angkor Wat and
adjoining temple ruins are still
considered one of the Wonders
of the World.
• Cambodia, though a small
agricultural country, has been
well known for its rich artistic
and musical traditions.
who, driven from
their home lands,
had escaped to
refugee camps in
nearby countries.
Information included here is provided to help you become more aware of the culture and traditions of your clients, students
and co-workers. Please use this only as a guide, keeping in mind that all people within a culture are not the same. Be sure to
ask your clients and their families about their specific beliefs, practices and customs. Showing respect and openness toward
their traditions will help you build better relationships and provide more effective services.
CULTURE
LANGUAGE The language most
commonly spoken in Cambodia
is Khmer. Other languages such as
English, French, Thai, and Chinese
are sometimes used in school and
business settings in Cambodia.
In Guilford County, most
older Cambodians still speak only
Khmer and need an interpreter,
but most second generation
Cambodians speak English. This
trend has led the older generation
One purpose was to provide
EDUCATION For Cambodians,
to fear that their traditions and
mental health services to the
as for other refugee groups,
language will be lost by younger
many traumatized Cambodians.
education is viewed as a way to
Cambodians. Efforts are underway
This temple has proved to be a
gain respect and advance in the
to help this community retain
valuable resource for community
community. Still, few Cambodians
their language, dances, and other
building and cultural heritage
in Guilford County have sought
customs.
preservation. The monk who
higher education or obtained
came to serve in 1989 spoke
college degrees. One reason for
RELIGIOUS PRACTICES AND
Khmer, Lao, Thai, and English.
this may be that less-educated
BELIEFS The main religion in
The end result was a viable ethnic
parents do not get very involved
Cambodia is Buddhism. There are
and religious enclave that attracted
with their children’s schooling.
also small Muslim and Christian
other Buddhists, including Laotians.
EMPLOYMENT Because most
populations in Cambodia. The
early refugees to North Carolina
SOCIAL CLASS In Cambodia,
Cambodians who came to the
were primarily Buddhists and
the upper classes, including
Triad had been rice farmers, they
most are still practicing Buddhists.
intellectuals and military leaders,
had limited skills for employment
Cambodians are usually conscien-
were largely wiped out during the
here. Many were able to obtain
tious about following religious
Khmer Rouge occupation. The
only entry-level jobs in factories
practices, recognizing Buddhist
refugees who originally came here
and various trades. Now, some
holidays, and participating in
were mostly farmers with very
have become skilled tradespersons,
rituals such as taking food to
limited educational and financial
such as jewelers and mechanics.
temple monks.
resources, considered to be lower
Many Cambodians have lost their
class citizens by U.S. standards.
jobs in recent plant closings and
help of a grant from a local
Cambodians in the Triad have
lay-offs and, with limited skills,
foundation, a Buddhist temple
tended to remain primarily a
have had difficulty finding other
was established in Greensboro.
working-class population.
employment.
In the mid-1980s, with the
TIME ORIENTATION Coming
machines are popular activities.
from a farming background, the
Gambling and betting are
there was a larger proportion of
women to men in the original
refugees who arrived here had an
common practices that have
group of refugees. This resulted
association with time that was
traditionally been enjoyed among
in more families headed by
related to agriculture. In Cambodia,
Cambodians. This has led to some
widowed or separated women.
they would go out to the fields in
problems with local law enforcement
This also resulted in more
the morning when they got up,
when gambling has occurred in
cross-cultural marriages among
work all day, and return home in
Cambodian businesses.
Cambodians in this country,
the evening. Because they did not
although this is generally not
share the American concept of
considered acceptable.
“clock time,” they often did not
show up at scheduled appointments
F A M I LY &
REL ATIONSHIPS
Boys and girls are treated
differently and are held to
different expectations. Boys are
or other events. Also, because
family issues would always take
Cambodians, like most other
allowed more freedom to go out
precedence over other activities,
Southeast Asians, place a high
for activities, while girls are
any family needs that developed
value on family relationships.
expected to stay home and help
would be addressed first, with no
Large extended families often live
their mothers. Young people are
consideration to previously
in close proximity and, in fact,
not allowed to “date” in the
scheduled appointments.
several generations may live in
American style. Traditionally,
the same house. Elderly family
marriages have been arranged by
FOOD AND DIET The traditional
members are cared for in the
the families. Disagreements over
Cambodian diet is a healthy one,
home throughout their lives, and
this have caused much conflict
comprised primarily of rice and
families do not consider placing
between generations in families
fresh vegetables. This remains true
them in nursing homes.
settled in the United States.
many have begun to follow a
GENDER ROLES In theory, the
CHILDREN AND YOUTH There
more typical American diet,
man is the head of the household,
are many misunderstandings
including fast foods and other
responsible for working and
between young Cambodians and
less healthy foods. As a result,
providing for the family and for
the older generations. Because the
some more typically American
making major decisions. Women
diseases are now appearing
are expected to deal with house-
within this population.
hold matters and to care for the
among some refugees. However,
children. In reality, women now
LEISURE Most Cambodians like
usually work outside the home
to socialize with others in their
and share responsibilities,
community. They may entertain
including making family decisions
in their homes or go to the temple
and handling the family finances.
to meet with friends. Watching
videos and singing with Kareoke
Because so many men were
killed in the war in Cambodia,
young people speak English and
their parents. Also, because their
customs can be determined by
are more involved in mainstream
parents have had only a narrow
paying close attention to what
culture, they have become more
range of employment opportunities,
others are doing. For example,
empowered. This results in
there have been few models for
when there is a pile of shoes at a
conflicts, and even estrangement,
adult careers beyond factory work
door, visitors should also remove
between parents and children
or other unskilled labor.
their shoes before entering the
over the traditional roles.
Cambodian parents do not
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
oppose physical punishment as a
Cambodians generally avoid
form of discipline, but they are not
confrontation. This frequently
generally abusive. Still, through a
causes misunderstandings
lack of understanding of cultural
because they will say “yes” to be
practices, the Department of
polite even when they really
Social Services became involved
mean “no.” Other responses that
with some families among the
may mean “no” include a change
original settlers. One Cambodian
in subject, statements such as “it’s
health practice called “coining”
okay” or “no problem,” or simply
involves repeatedly rubbing an ill
no response at all. Healthcare
person firmly with a coin. The
providers should not, therefore,
practice can leave welts on the
make automatic assumptions that
room. Offers of food and drink
recipient and health providers,
treatment protocols or directions
should be accepted, as should an
in some cases, have mistakenly
for follow-up care are understood
offer of the only chair in the room.
believed that they were seeing
or accepted.
Effusive, loud or over-familiar
behaviors are considered bad
signs of child abuse.
GREETINGS & SHOWING
manners. Displays of anger or
community childcare systems,
RESPECT Young Cambodians use
confrontation are also considered
even if both parents are working.
standard American greetings.
unacceptable. Other behaviors
An elderly grandmother may take
Older Cambodians may no longer
perceived as rude include point-
care of many small children in the
expect the traditional forms of
ing at a person’s face or calling
home. While these children are
greeting (such as bowing and
someone to come over by extend-
generally nurtured, they are not
lowering the head with hands in
ing one finger.
exposed to normal child develop-
prayer position), however, they
ment activities and are often less
do expect to be greeted first when
expected to approach adults with
prepared when starting school.
family introductions are made. It
respect. When elderly persons are
is important to all Cambodians
sitting, young children should not
youth is that they are unable to
that they be treated with respect
stand up higher or walk in front
turn to their parents for help in
and courtesy.
of them without lowering their
Families do not use the formal
One challenge for Cambodian
heads. Girls are not allowed to
school, because of the language
and educational limitations of
Children and youth are
GESTURES & CUSTOMS Some
whistle or sit with their legs
spread apart. Men should not
help from traditional mental health
for services, learning the appoint-
approach single women to start a
services. One reason the Buddhist
ment system, knowing how to
conversation because it is
Temple was established was to
get prescriptions filled, and
considered disrespectful.
meet these needs. Cambodians
understanding directions for
are still more likely to seek help
treatment protocols.
from monks at the Temple than
HEALTH &
WELLNESS
to seek mental health services
HEALTH BELIEFS Cambodians
ALCOHOL USE The use of
are not likely to seek intervention
alcohol has become a problem
from the Western healthcare
among some Cambodians. In
system for most illnesses, and
their homeland, access to alcohol
they practice few preventive
was limited, and Buddhist tradition
medical treatments. They are
frowns upon excessive use of
more likely to use traditional
alcohol. Drinking is considered a
medicines, such as herbs or other
very “American” behavior. Some
products they can obtain at local
Cambodians drink to excess
Asian stores. The traditional
simply because they have never
Khmer people also often rely on
learned to drink in moderation.
from a professional provider.
OUTREACH TIPS
spiritual healing practices.
Because Cambodians will
OBSTACLES TO ACCESSING
• Be respectful and courteous,
normally only seek treatment for
CARE Cambodians may be slow
particularly when someone
serious injuries or long-term
to seek healthcare from Western
appears shy or is reluctant to
health problems, they are unlikely
practitioners for a number of
speak up. It may take patience
to have primary care doctors, and
reasons. For one thing, within
and time to conduct
are more likely to use Emergency
their culture there may be more
assessments and determine
Room services. Some are now
acceptance of illness or discomfort.
symptoms or health concerns.
seen through agencies such as
Also, there is a reluctance to
HealthServe Medical Center.
complain or discuss symptoms.
to stare at someone, so do not
Other obstacles are the same as
make prolonged eye contact
MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES
those observed in many refugee
with someone during your
Because the early Cambodian
communities: lack of insurance,
discussions.
refugees had been exposed to very
transportation, and knowledge
traumatic situations prior to
about how to access Western
Cambodians think of health
coming to the United States,
medicine. In addition, there is
issues in spiritual terms,
post-traumatic stress disorder is a
general confusion about how the
believing that a problem might
significant issue for the older
healthcare system works,
be related to their Karma or
generations. They would not seek
including determining eligibility
that they are possessed by
• It is considered inappropriate
• Be aware that many
spirits. It may be useful to
AC KNOWLEDGEMENTS
work in collaboration with
local temples to help gain
Vandy Chumm
acceptance for Western
Ran Kong
medical treatment.
• Gaining the cooperation of
older family members who
are respected may increase
compliance with recommended
treatments.
SHARING
COMMUNIT Y
• The Greensboro Buddhist
Center is the most popular place
for community gathering.
Cambodians in Greensboro go
there for special traditional events
and some just gather to visit
friends. The grounds include
acres of vegetable gardens, and
the monks welcome people to
come and share the food.
The Buddhist Center is located at
2715 Liberty Road in Greensboro.
(336) 272-1607 or 272-6297.
• Cambodians also like to
go to the Cambodian Market
located on Coliseum Blvd. The
number there is (336) 273-3150.
The Khmer Aid Group of the Triad is
the name of the original community
organization that was developed by
Cambodians. Now most of its
activities have been taken over by
the Buddhist Center.