Bokator
Bokator,
known formally as Labokatao, is a Cambodian martial art form that
involves close hand-to-hand combat, ground techniques and weapons. Bokator is one of the earliest Cambodian martial art and is said to be the close quarter combat system used by the armies during the Angkor era.
Practitioners are trained to strike with knees, elbows, hands, feet and even the head. Short sticks are commonly used as weapon.
Baok Chambab
Baok Chambab is Khmer wrestling; a sport in which two opponents try to pin (hold) each other’s back to the ground. A match consists of three rounds. Wrestlers perform pre-match ritual dancing. A wrestler wins a match by two out of three rounds. However, after each round, the loser is asked if he still wishes to continue with the match.
A Baok Chambab match is traditional accompanied by drum beats; two drums known as Skor Nhy and Chhmol, (female drum and male drum).
Traditional matches are held at the Cambodian National Olympic Stadium during the Khmer New Year and other Cambodian holidays.
Kbach Kun Dambong Vèng
Kbach Kun Dambong Vèng literally refers to an ancient Cambodian martial art form involving the use of a long staff.
It has traditionally been practiced to prepare against enemies bearing eventual malice towards their villages and their country.
Now, it is particularly popular with youths in main sports clubs in Cambodia.
Pradal Serey
Pradal
Serey is traditional Khmer kick boxing. A match consists of five rounds
and takes place in a boxing ring. There is a one or two-minute break
in between each round. Before a match, boxers perform the praying
rituals known as the Kun Krou. Traditional Cambodian music is played
during a match. The instruments used are the Skor Yaul (a drum), the
Sralai (a flute-like instrument) and the stringed Chhing. Boxers are
required to wear leather gloves and shorts.Victory is instantaneously granted when a boxer delivers a knockout which is determined when the knocked down boxer is unable to continue the fight after a 10-second count by the referee. Victory is also determined at the end of the match when judges decide by a point system which fighter was more effective. If the fighters end up with the same score, a draw is called.
Khmer Wedding
Traditional
Cambodian weddings are intricate affairs that consist of multiple
ceremonies lasting three days and three nights. The wedding begins with
the groom and his family traveling to the bride’s home bearing gifts to
the bride’s family as dowry. Family members and friends are introduced,
and wedding rings exchanged. Customarily, three traditional songs
accompany this first segment; the first song announcing the arrival of
the groom and the next is on the presentation of the dowry followed by a
final song to invite the elders to chew Betel Nut, an age-old Khmer
tradition. Then it is the Tea Ceremony, at which the bride and groom
offer tea to the spirits of their ancestors.To prepare the bride and groom for their life as a married couple, their hair must then be symbolically cut to represent a fresh start to their new relationship together as husband and wife. The master of ceremony performs the first symbolic hair cut; the bride and groom’s parents, relatives, and friends then take turn to symbolically cut the bride and groom’s hair and give them blessing and good wishes.
The finale is the most memorable segment of the wedding. Family members and friends take turns to tie the bride’s and groom’s left and right wrists with ‘blessing strings’. The praises and wishes of happiness, good health, success, prosperity, and long-lasting love are acknowledged and witnessed by the loud sound of the gong and joyful cheers. Then, they throw palm flowers over the new couple accompanied by a traditional song. After the couple is pronounced husband and wife, the groom holds the bride’s fabric into the bridal room accompanied by a traditional song.
At the close of this wedding ceremony, all of the guests are invited to a wedding reception accompanied by an orchestral concert. The Khmer wedding is a rowdy and joyous event.
Nowadays most families reduce the three-day and three-night ritual to a one-day affair.
Traditional Medicine
The
Khmer traditional medicine is a form of naturopathy using natural
remedies, such as roots, barks, leaves and herbs to motivate the body’s
vital ability to heal and maintain itself. It has been used to treat
various diseases for many years. The ancient Khmer people first
formulated this medical lore during the Angkor period. It offers a
holistic approach avoiding the use of surgery and drugs. Practitioners
of this therapy are known locally as Krou Khmer.Khmer traditional doctors are receiving recognition and training from the government at the National Center of Traditional Medicine. Medical books in Pali text have been gathered from all the pagodas throughout the country; collated and interpreted into the Khmer language at the center. The center welcomes traditional healers from across the kingdom to share knowledge and train healers to a uniform level and to assimilate their localized knowledge.
