CULTURE
HISTORY
If there is something you should know about the country before you visit, it is its history. Much is known about the glittering age of the Khmer empire and its powerful seat in Angkor Wat, but prior to that the small kingdom of Kembuja-desa was fraught with revolts, warfare, usurpations, and invasions. Similarly, it is interesting how an empire responsible for the spread of art, culture, and religion collapsed into obscurity after infighting and warfare from increasingly potent neighbors before the ruins of Angkor were discovered by French naturalist Henri Mohout in 1860.
FAITH
Most Cambodians practice Theravada Buddhism, the oldest existing school of the religion. It is more common however that their version of devotion encompasses a more relaxed approach and combines ancestor worship, shamanism, and animism that predate Buddhism since its proliferation in the 13th century. This also includes the influence of Hinduism which was one of the official religions of the Khmer empire. Angkor Wat was in fact the largest Hindu temple in the world, dedicated to Brahma, thus it is not surprising to find that the religion shapes Khmer Buddhist practices such as weddings, funerals, and even the use of astrology.
ART
From religion came art. Inspired by Hindu and Buddhist principles as well as indigenous animistic beliefs, a unique Khmer style was born absorbing the influences of Javanese, Chinese, and Thai culture. Ancient Cambodian culture is filled with a long tradition of literature, oral storytelling, narrative singing, royal chronicles, and epic poetry thanks to the Sanskrit language, while classical dance and music were cultivated at court. Today, local traditions are kept alive by musicians, singers, and theatre artists, while you will find musicians in every village sharing their gift of song.
SPORTS
KUN LABOKATOR
The origins of Bokator were probably a mix of Indian and Chinese martial arts developed into a new style by the Angkorian race. Bokator literally means Bok “smash” Tao “tiger”. The complete sentence means smashing the lion or the tiger.
KUN KHMER
Kbach Kun Khmer Boran (Khmer martial arts) date back more than a thousand years, as evidenced by carvings and bas-reliefs in the Angkor temples.
KHMER WRESTLING
Khmer traditional wrestling (Khmer: បោកចំបាប់ – Baok Cham Bab) is a folk wrestlingstyle from Cambodia. It has been practiced as far back as the Angkor period and is depicted on the bas-reliefs of certain temples.