Culture

The Culture of Cambodia has had a rich and varied history dating back many centuries and has been heavily influenced by India. In turn, Cambodia has greatly influenced Thailand, Laos and vice versa. Throughout Cambodia's long history, a major source of inspiration was from religion. Throughout nearly two millennia, Cambodians have developed a unique Khmer belief from the syncreticism of indigenous animistic beliefs and the Indian religions of Buddhism and Hinduism. Indian culture and civilisation, including its language and arts reached mainland Southeast Asia around the 1st century AD. Its generally believed that seafaring merchants brought Indian customs and culture to ports along the gulf of Thailand and the Pacific while trading with China. At various times, Cambodia culture also absorbed elements from Javanese, Chinese, Lao and Thai cultures.

Dress

Cambodians traditionally wear a chequered scarf called a 'Krama'. The 'kroma' is what distinctly separates the Khmer (Cambodians) from their neighbours the Thai, the Vietnamese, and the Laotians. The scarf is used for many purposes including for style, protection from the sun, an aid (for the feet) when climbing trees, a hammock for infants, a towel, or as a 'sarong'. A 'krama' can also be easily shaped into a small child's doll for play. Under the Khmer Rouge, all Khmer were forced to wear a red chequered 'krama'.

Almost all Khmer men and women wear a Buddha pendant in a necklace fashion. There are different pendants for different uses; some are meant for protection from evil spirits, some are meant to bring good luck. However, women are only allowed to wear a Buddha pendant if she remains 'pure,' or a virgin. It is considered a sin for non-virgin Khmer Buddhist women to wear the pendant.

Customs

Khmer culture is very hierarchical. The greater a person's age, the greater the level of respect that must be granted to them. Everyone in Khmer culture is given a hierarchical title before the name - in some cases names are shortened with the title added before the name is given - which varies in relation to the person. In some cases elders are referred to by a family title even though there is no relation, out of respect to their seniority in life. Referring to someone by the improper title is a sign of disrespect and would be assumed as improper parenting or a lack of respect for elders.

Sport

Football (soccer) is one of the more popular sports, although professional organised sports are not as prevalent in Cambodia as in western countries due to the economic conditions. The Cambodia national football team managed fourth in the 1972 Asian Cup but development has slowed since the civil war. Western sports such as volleyball, bodybuilding, field hockey, rugby and baseball are gaining popularity while traditional boat racing maintains its appeal as a national sport. Martial arts is also practiced in Cambodia, the most popular being Pradal Serey, which is similar to Muay Thai and also considered a national sport. Other styles such as Karate, Kung Fu and Taekwondo are rapidly catching on.

Architecture

The Angkorian architects and sculptors created temples that mapped the cosmic world in stone. Khmer decorations drawn inspiration from religion, and mythical creatures from Hinduism and Buddhism were carved on walls. Temples were built in accordance to the rule of ancient Khmer architecture that dictated that a basic temple layout include a central shrine, a courtyard, an enclosing wall, and a moat. Khmer motifs use many creatures from Buddhist and Hindu mythology, like the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, use motifs such as the garuda, a mythical bird in the Hinduism.

Khmer culture, as developed and spread by the Khmer empire, has distinctive styles of architecture which have strongly influenced neighbouring Laos and Thailand. Angkor Wat (Angkor means 'city' and Wat 'temple') is the best preserved example of Khmer architecture from the Angkorian era and hundreds of other temples have been discovered in and around the region.