Preserving Tradition: Concerns Over Youth Showing Less Interest in Homemade Ansom Cakes

Cultures

Preserving Tradition: Concerns Over Youth Showing Less Interest in Homemade Ansom Cakes

By Nhor Sokhoeurn
April 16, 2024 3:00 PM

KANDAL – While people are celebrating the Khmer New Year all across the country, elder Cambodians fear the tradition of baking homemade Ansom cake might disappear. The cake is a popular variation of sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves and is often baked with the family as a recreational activity. But over the years, younger generations have shown a growing disinterest in learning how to traditionally prepare and bake the rice-based pastry.

Considered more than just a way to make food, producing homemade Ansom and other traditional cakes symbolizes unity and intimacy between neighbors and people of the villages. It is crucial to build connections and create long-lasting memories during celebrations.

Nhor Sokhay, a resident of Leuk Daek district in Kandal province, loves baking Ansom cakes and is passionate about preserving traditions. She believes that this practice can help preserve Khmer heritage and increase cohesion among communities.

“Those who organize celebrations or ceremonies should be able to make homemade Ansom. This is our tradition. Plus, building connections is also very important in the village”, she said.

Although the making of homemade Ansom cakes is not popular among younger people, new generations still consume them by buying commercial ones in the market. Urban lifestyle and the increased speed of life for people working in the industry or service sectors are reducing the time people can allocate to baking traditional cakes.

Ansom cakes come in different flavors. Some have a sweet feeling like bananas or beans, while others are savor, with pork meat. But all share the same base consisting of rice, coconut milk and salt.

According to Heang Rith, a Khmer culture researcher, Ansom cakes find their roots in Hinduism and represent the presence of Lord Shiva, goddess Uma and the Earth.

In 2015, during the Khmer New Year, Cambodia broke the Guinness World Record for the biggest Ansom cake ever made. The pastry weighed 4,040 kilograms.