Modern Cambodian classical dance dress and hand movements are based on the images carved on the temple walls of Angkor Wat and other temples. The image of Cambodian classical dancers on this postcard highlights the dance form’s significance to Cambodian culture and history.
According to a 10th century Khmer inscription, the line of Khmer kings were descended from the wise man Kambu and his wife, Mera, an apsara given to Kambu by the god Shiva. The story and the dance forms developed from this story reinforce the importance of women in Khmer history and culture.
Sophy Khut (center) with her siblings at Sophat Khut’s wedding in Portland, OR in 2006. From left to right: Chetra, Sophat, Sophy, Sophal, Sokheng, Sakhenn, and Sopha Lem.
Sophy Khut (center) with her father, Khean Khut, and her mother, Sophea Khim in Long Beach in 2006. There were very few Cambodians in the Portland area and Sophy wanted more contact with her culture. After college, she decided to move to Long Beach, which has the largest concentration of Cambodians in the U.S. Sophy opened a couple restaurants before opening Sophy’s Cambodian Cuisine on Pacific Coast Highway in Long Beach. Her parents remained in Portland.
Sophy Khut was president of the Cambodian Cooperative for International Students at Portland State University in Oregon. She is speaking at an event in 1988.
