Khmer Culture At Its Best
Cambodia is a culturally rich country with years of history. Khmer culture was dominant during the period of the Khmer Empire from 802-1431. The country owes this cultural heritage to major religions like Hinduism and Buddhism. They are the guiding principles of Cambodian life, including language, art, lifestyle, food etc.
The first few centuries saw these two major religions, the Sanskrit language and other aspects of the Indian civilization making a strong impact on Khmer culture. The way Cambodians greet others with a “sampeah” gesture, is similar to the “namaste” in India or the “wai” in Thailand. During different periods, Cambodian culture also absorbed the Chinese, Javanese and Thai influences.
In Khmer culture, etiquette is very important. People of different ranks are addressed differently, with the linguistic systems becoming complex when addressing monks or royalty. Rank is taken into consideration even the way people are greeted by the way the palms are raised together and the degree of the elevation of hands. The way they dress is dependent on their social stature and financial status of the person. It is a patriarchal society with the father heading the family, and is respected as such.
Cambodians have a strong belief in the spirits and this is the reason the birth of a child, in spite of being a happy occasion, is also believed to bring harm from the spirits because the woman and the child are exposed. Similarly, a woman who dies in childbirth is believed to turn into an evil spirit. One of the most surprising cultural beliefs is that death is not considered as an occasion of grief, as it is said to be the beginning of a better life.
A quintessential flavoring of Khmer food is the strong smelling fish paste used in curries. Fruit is considered a mark of abundance. One of the favorites of the Cambodians is Teuk Tnaot, a liquid from the sugar palms; however, it is not taken with meals. Khmer culture respects guests, and they are served first along with the men.
Khmer art flourished during the Angkor period. Graphic arts, performance arts and literature are the lifeline of Khmer culture. Domestic storytelling and narrative singing to the playing of a Banjo like instrument are important culturally. They have a long tradition of writing religious texts, epic poetry and royal chronicles; although, no modern text exists. Classical dance and music associated with the courts originally, enjoy a huge popularity even to this day. They have a unique way of expressing emotions through the use of hands and feet. These local traditions are kept alive by the small-time singers, theater artists and musicians.
While the Khmer culture flourished until the–th century; the Khmer rouge era saw the devastation of the culture, but the pieces have long been picked up, and the rich Khmer traditions of science, art, architecture and spirituality again resonate throughout Cambodia, an exotic region located at the crossroads of India and China.
Visit KhmerArticles.com to learn more about the Khmer culture and the Cambodian people.
