A ceremony at Wat Willow in Long Beach, CA. Only a few Cambodian Buddhist temples have been built in the U.S. Most are located in former homes, churches, or commercial buildings that have been renovated. Wat Willow is located in a former Union Hall.
Many of the Cambodian Buddhist temples in Long Beach are two stories with an altar in the main gathering area on the first floor and another private altar on the second floor. This is the Buddha on the private altar at Wat Willow.
Spirit of Khmer Angkor dancers perform a blessing dance to honor the spirits and ancestors of Cambodian dance and music. This ceremony to honor their teachers, known as a sompeah kruu ceremony, was held at the offices of the Cambodian Association of America on Thursday, November 23, 2006.
Parents and supporters of the Spirit of Khmer Angkor dance troupe help set up the altar or the sompeah kruu ceremony held at the offices of the Cambodian Association of America in Long Beach, Thursday, November 2006. In addition to items used by dancers and musicians, they have prepared food offerings, which include cooked meat and fresh fruit. Also included are ceremonial objects known as baaysei.
Musicians playing during the Sompeah Kruu ceremony held at the offices of the Cambodian Association of America on Thursday, November 23, 2006. Candles have been placed on each instrument. The ceremony is held to thank the spirits of dance and music and honor deceased teachers. People seated behind the musicians are friends and family members.
Altar for the Spirit of Khmer Angkor sompeah kruu ceremony held at the offices of the Cambodian Association of America in Long Beach, on Thursday, November 23, 2006. Objects used in the dance and music, such as costumes, instruments, masks, a shadow puppet as well as photos of deceased teachers, and ceremonial objects, are placed on the altar to be thanked and blessed.
