I decided to name this site, Cher Teal, a word in Khmer for “Wood Teal”. It is the name of a sacred tree that lies in the heart of Preah Trapeang province.

According to local Khmer legends, this tree was planted by Chao Vay Son Kuy, a Khmer Krom Governor in the nineteenth century prior to his beheading. He gave up his life so the Vietnamese Court would stop assimilating the Khmer Krom into the Vietnamese culture. Prior to his beheading, it was said that he took the teal plant and with its roots sticking, planted into the ground. He said that as long as the tree grows, the Khmer Krom culture would continue to flourish.

Cher Teal is still standing after two centuries and although it is a popular tourist stop for many Khmers, it remains unguarded and unrecognized like the people of Kampuchea-Krom. I chose to name this site after this tree because Cher Teal is Khmer Krom’s tree of life. It symbolizes the journey of life that we are all destined to take regardless of where we live. 

Like an Irish saying goes, “People without knowledge of their culture, past or history is like a tree without roots.” Even with its roots sticking up, it continues to grow, like the culture and identity of the Khmer Krom, standing tall and strong in testimony of the courage, strength and sacrifices of the Khmer Krom people over the years.