Recorded in Phnom Penh and the Mekong delta in Cambodia this package of CD and DVD will take you to the very heart of the Cambodian Christian Arts community so that you can experience in video and pictures, sounds, songs and dances, the Khmer people of Cambodia.
In the 1970’s, during the devastating years of the Pol Pot dictatorship, the beautiful traditions of Cambodia’s artistic community were systematically silenced. In the people’s struggle to survive starvation and brutality in the killing fields, their suppressed creative story lay dormant. Today, the arts are flourishing again, ornate costumed dancers tell their story through intricate hand movements and Khmer music floods the airwaves.
The Garlands for Ashes blog here.
NOTE: The producers of the “Garlands for Ashes” album would like to clear up a misunderstanding. Although selling one’s children is unfortunately a common practice among the poor in Cambodia, and even though CCAM has indeed rescued some of their students from such slavery, nevertheless, the Long family featured on this album want to make clear that they never had any intention of selling their children, no matter how poor they became.
Check out one of the tracks below.
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The medical dispensary was opened 1st Nov @ 9.00am East African time – tables, chairs, drawers, examination beds and medical supplies have been delivered and a doctor and nurse have been appointed by the government. Here is part of the report from Seth Gidiony.
“Dear Voices from the Nations, at last the Mnase village medical dispensary unit was opened yesterday morning about 9,00 am East African time. I and all Mnase village leaders, pastors from different denominations, doctor and other medical servants, villagers and about 15 first patients to attend Mnase dispensary, gathered at the dispensary main room and all over the places to testify the great and most wonderful day. A day of grace for every Mnase resident, to have a medical services in their village, never excepted to happen in their life time. The services started right away all people were so happy shouting for joy some dancing in their ways for happiness.”
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Just saw 2 great short films recently on a flight home. Lumaajuuq (pronounced Loo-my-you) an Inuit cartoon about the futility of revenge and Shi-shi-etko the story of a First Nations child being forced into residential schooling by the Canadian government. Here is a trailer.
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During our recent visit we met a man who now lived in the city but had grown up in the Wagogo village. He invited us to his home to meet his family to say thank you for our partnership with Mnase community. As a child he had grown up walking 10 km a day to collect water. During droughts this well would draw so many people that he would find it hard to get near the water. So he and a group 0f 20 young children decided to go late at night in order to miss the crowds, going as a group prevented attacks by hyenas. Some nights though, in the darkness, they would slip and the yokes carrying the calabash gourdes full of water would fall and break. On these nights they would go home crying to inform their parents that there would be no water that day. With the well now in the community, his families (who still live in the village) lives have been transformed.
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We have all been shocked by the horrendous happenings in Norway and I have felt for my good friends in that beautiful country. In my thoughts I kept remembering a wonderful singer Hildegunn Vederhus who I had met this May in Norway. She told me some of the stories of her land and sang some of the old folk songs. This is just one (my friend John captured roughly on his Ipad) that she remembered from her childhood. Here is her translation – very apt after the sadness of the last few days.
How can you ever think that you are forgotten.
Who is hidden so well under my heart.
How can you ever think that I will forget you
Who has been placed deep into my heart.
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