Customs of Cambodia

Marriage and Family

Although intermarriage between Khmer and other ethnic groups was a common practice in the past, it is not today. Wedding celebrations last a full day and are occasions for many guests, abundant food, and plenty of music.

4.74 children per woman (2001)Several generations usually live together or near one another, and the elderly are cared for by their children. Because so many men died at the hands of the Khmer Rouge, Cambodia has a large number of orphans, widows, and single-parent families. Single mothers who do not remarry tend to gather in small clans of women and children for mutual aid and companionship. Khmer tradition allows for a man to take more than one wife (including widows), but few do so because of the economic burden involved.

 

Eating

Soup and rice are the main components of the Cambodian diet. A bowl of soup may have any combination of fish, eggs, vegetables, meat, and spices. More than 20 years ago, Cambodia was known as 'the cradle of rice,' and many different varieties were grown in the various regions. Today, Cambodia is less productive, and fewer varieties are grown. Rice is prepared in many ways and is eaten at every meal. Vegetables and a wide variety of fruits are available throughout the year. Seafood and fish are also common.

Cambodians eat with chopsticks, spoons, and their fingers, depending on the food and family custom. Food that has been influenced by Indian, Chinese, and European cuisine is also enjoyed. In general, Cambodian food is less spicy than in neighboring countries such as Thailand.

 Socializing

Cambodians greet one another by placing both hands together in a prayer position at chest level without touching the body. The higher the hands, the greater the sign of respect, although they should never be held above the level of the nose. This gesture is accompanied by a slight bow to show respect for elders or persons of higher status. Those holding or carrying something may simply bow their heads slightly. Shaking hands is not common in Cambodia; indeed, women are often embarrassed to be offered a hand to shake. Of many verbal greetings, one common one is Sok sebai te? ('How are you?').

Rules governing gestures come from Buddhism. While sitting, one should not point the feet toward a Buddha image or any person. To Buddhists, the head is the most sacred part of the body. One does not touch another person’s head (even a child’s), and one generally avoids sitting or standing on a level higher than that of an older person.

Among friends and relatives, visiting is frequent and usually unannounced. People remove their shoes when entering a home or wat (a temple for worship and religious education). A houseguest may be greeted with a bouquet of jasmine flowers placed on his or her desk or table. In general, Cambodians are extremely hospitable, although they may be cautious about inviting strangers into the home. If a meal is provided, guests are given the best place to sit and the best portion of food.

Recreation

Most of Cambodia’s recreational facilities were destroyed or fell into disrepair during the late 1970s and the 1980s. Today, however, the people enjoy soccer, table tennis, volleyball, and badminton. They also dance, play music, and sing. Videocassette recorders (VCRs) are becoming more accessible and are used to create small village cinemas. Other leisure activities include card playing and Sunday rides on bicycles or motorcycles. Festivals and weddings provide other recreational high points.

Holidays and Celebrations

Cambodia’s national holidays include Liberation Day (7 January), Victory Over American Imperialism Day (17 April), and The Front Day (2 December). Both the Chinese and Buddhist new years are celebrated. The Buddhist New Year, in April, is celebrated for three days.

Vassa, the Buddhist Rains Retreat, is the period of the monsoons when monks halt their usual peregrinations and stay inside to meditate and pray. It is also known as the Buddhist Lent. During these months, restraint and abstinence must prevail. Weddings as a rule are not held during this time, and changing residences is avoided.

In the last week of September, near the end of the rainy season, an important Buddhist festival, Pchum Ben, takes place. It is a celebration on behalf of the dead and for one’s own salvation. Before it begins, people are supposed to accomplish a seven-wat duty to please their ancestors. This involves worshipping at seven wat or performing seven moral good deeds (or a combination of both). Six weeks after Pchum Ben, large or wealthy families raise money to pay for the living expenses of the monks.

The Festival of the Reversing Current, which occurs between late October and late November, celebrates a river’s return to its normal direction after having reversed its current during the rainy season. When the flow of the river, the Tônlé Sab, returns to its original direction, fireworks, canoe racing, and general merrymaking erupt at Phnom Penh.

Funerals are also an occasion for gathering. White clothes are worn to funerals, and music is an integral part of the event.

Customs of Cambodia

Marriage and Family

Although intermarriage between Khmer and other ethnic groups was a common practice in the past, it is not today. Wedding celebrations last a full day and are occasions for many guests, abundant food, and plenty of music.

4.74 children per woman (2001)Several generations usually live together or near one another, and the elderly are cared for by their children. Because so many men died at the hands of the Khmer Rouge, Cambodia has a large number of orphans, widows, and single-parent families. Single mothers who do not remarry tend to gather in small clans of women and children for mutual aid and companionship. Khmer tradition allows for a man to take more than one wife (including widows), but few do so because of the economic burden involved.

 

Eating

Soup and rice are the main components of the Cambodian diet. A bowl of soup may have any combination of fish, eggs, vegetables, meat, and spices. More than 20 years ago, Cambodia was known as 'the cradle of rice,' and many different varieties were grown in the various regions. Today, Cambodia is less productive, and fewer varieties are grown. Rice is prepared in many ways and is eaten at every meal. Vegetables and a wide variety of fruits are available throughout the year. Seafood and fish are also common.

Cambodians eat with chopsticks, spoons, and their fingers, depending on the food and family custom. Food that has been influenced by Indian, Chinese, and European cuisine is also enjoyed. In general, Cambodian food is less spicy than in neighboring countries such as Thailand.

 Socializing

Cambodians greet one another by placing both hands together in a prayer position at chest level without touching the body. The higher the hands, the greater the sign of respect, although they should never be held above the level of the nose. This gesture is accompanied by a slight bow to show respect for elders or persons of higher status. Those holding or carrying something may simply bow their heads slightly. Shaking hands is not common in Cambodia; indeed, women are often embarrassed to be offered a hand to shake. Of many verbal greetings, one common one is Sok sebai te? ('How are you?').

Rules governing gestures come from Buddhism. While sitting, one should not point the feet toward a Buddha image or any person. To Buddhists, the head is the most sacred part of the body. One does not touch another person’s head (even a child’s), and one generally avoids sitting or standing on a level higher than that of an older person.

Among friends and relatives, visiting is frequent and usually unannounced. People remove their shoes when entering a home or wat (a temple for worship and religious education). A houseguest may be greeted with a bouquet of jasmine flowers placed on his or her desk or table. In general, Cambodians are extremely hospitable, although they may be cautious about inviting strangers into the home. If a meal is provided, guests are given the best place to sit and the best portion of food.

Recreation

Most of Cambodia’s recreational facilities were destroyed or fell into disrepair during the late 1970s and the 1980s. Today, however, the people enjoy soccer, table tennis, volleyball, and badminton. They also dance, play music, and sing. Videocassette recorders (VCRs) are becoming more accessible and are used to create small village cinemas. Other leisure activities include card playing and Sunday rides on bicycles or motorcycles. Festivals and weddings provide other recreational high points.

Holidays and Celebrations

Cambodia’s national holidays include Liberation Day (7 January), Victory Over American Imperialism Day (17 April), and The Front Day (2 December). Both the Chinese and Buddhist new years are celebrated. The Buddhist New Year, in April, is celebrated for three days.

Vassa, the Buddhist Rains Retreat, is the period of the monsoons when monks halt their usual peregrinations and stay inside to meditate and pray. It is also known as the Buddhist Lent. During these months, restraint and abstinence must prevail. Weddings as a rule are not held during this time, and changing residences is avoided.

In the last week of September, near the end of the rainy season, an important Buddhist festival, Pchum Ben, takes place. It is a celebration on behalf of the dead and for one’s own salvation. Before it begins, people are supposed to accomplish a seven-wat duty to please their ancestors. This involves worshipping at seven wat or performing seven moral good deeds (or a combination of both). Six weeks after Pchum Ben, large or wealthy families raise money to pay for the living expenses of the monks.

The Festival of the Reversing Current, which occurs between late October and late November, celebrates a river’s return to its normal direction after having reversed its current during the rainy season. When the flow of the river, the Tônlé Sab, returns to its original direction, fireworks, canoe racing, and general merrymaking erupt at Phnom Penh.

Funerals are also an occasion for gathering. White clothes are worn to funerals, and music is an integral part of the event.