Today marks an important and sad day for many Cambodians and Khmer-Krom. Many of us know the current country as Vietnam but very few are taught the true history before they came into power.
Kampuchea-Krom was formerly part of Cambodia and when Vietnam started to rapidly expand into the region, Cambodian King Norodom seeked the help of France to protect its borders.
France agreed and it was made a protectorate of France under the treaty of Friendship, Commerce and French protection and was referred to as Cochin China in 1863. During this time, the Khmer-Krom people entered a temporary phase of stability and peace. Many were able to get an education, study their Khmer language and practice their own cultures without fear or discrimination.
Decades of war ensued within the region, each colonizing power seeking a piece of the fertile regions of Kampuchea-Krom and before long, the Khmer-Krom people became a minority within their own homeland, their voices muted and lost amongst the sea of uncertainty and change.
On March 8, 1949, the Elysee Agreement was signed between French President Vincent Auriol and Vietnam’s Emperor Bao Dai, changing the status of Cochin China.
Despite the efforts of a Cambodian delegation led by H.E Son Sann to protest this transfer, the Elysee agreement was adopted and signed into law on June 5th, 1949.
Today marks 72 years since that transfer and Khmer-Krom people around the world are gathering within their local communities or changing their profile picture on Facebook to remember this event.
It is a day filled with much sadness for our people, as we remember our ancestors who bravely fought against overwhelming odds to keep our culture and identity alive.
Today, we remember the Khmer-Krom people who were deliberately killed during the digging of the Vinh Te canal in 1816. The changing of our Khmer last names to Kien, Chau, Danh, Son and Thach, all of which are Vietnamese.
As we remember the past, we must also celebrate the stories of bravery, courage and resilience amongst our Khmer-Krom people.
Like the sacrifices of Governor Son Kuy, who gave up his life, so that we could live according to our culture and customs, be respected and treated as equals and not second class citizens of Vietnam. He planted the cher teal tree (name of this website :), with its roots up and said that as long as the tree grows, the Khmer-Krom people and culture will flourish.
People without knowledge of their past, history or culture is like a tree without roots
Irish quote
Knowing our history is important because that makes up the fabric of who we are as a peoples.
And the more I learn about the history of my ancestors, the more I am proud to be born as Khmer-Krom. I am so thankful for the opportunity to be part of KKF, an organization that seeks to amplify the voices and rights of our Khmer-Krom in the Mekong Delta to live in peace, with dignity and recognized as indigenous peoples.
To learn more about the history of Kampuchea-Krom:
Visit the Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation
The lonely planet – Kampuchea-Krom
Cherteal 
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