The Khmer People

Who Are the Khmer People?

The Khmer people are the dominant ethnic group of Cambodia, comprising approximately 90% of the country's population. As descendants of the Angkor Empire (9th-15th centuries), one of Southeast Asia's most powerful civilizations, the Khmer built the magnificent Angkor Wat temple complex and developed sophisticated hydraulic engineering systems that supported vast urban centers. Today, the Khmer maintain their distinctive cultural identity through Theravada Buddhism, classical dance traditions (particularly the royal ballet), and artistic heritage including intricate stone carving, silk weaving, and shadow puppetry. The Khmer language belongs to the Mon-Khmer branch of Austroasiatic languages and uses a unique script derived from ancient Indian writing systems.

Culture & Traditions

Angkor Wat and the Temple Legacy

Angkor Wat, built in the early 12th century by King Suryavarman II, represents the pinnacle of Khmer architectural achievement and remains the world's largest religious monument. Originally dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, it later became a Buddhist temple, reflecting Cambodia's religious transition. The temple's five towers symbolize Mount Meru, home of the gods in Hindu-Buddhist cosmology, while its bas-reliefs depict epic narratives from the Ramayana and Mahabharata. The broader Angkor Archaeological Park contains over 1,000 temples spanning 400 square kilometers, including the Bayon with its enigmatic stone faces and Ta Prohm, where massive tree roots engulf ancient structures. This architectural heritage profoundly shapes Khmer cultural identity and appears on Cambodia's national flag.

Classical Dance and Performing Arts

Khmer classical dance, particularly the royal ballet (Robam Preah Reach Trop), embodies centuries of artistic refinement. Dancers undergo rigorous training from childhood, learning highly stylized movements, hand gestures (mudras), and facial expressions that communicate complex narratives from Hindu-Buddhist mythology. The apsara dance, inspired by celestial nymphs carved on Angkor's temples, features elaborate costumes with golden headdresses and silk sampots. During the Khmer Rouge regime (1975-1979), which targeted artists and intellectuals, 90% of classical dancers perished, nearly extinguishing this tradition. Post-genocide revival efforts, led by surviving master teachers, have successfully transmitted this art to new generations, earning UNESCO recognition as Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Hydraulic Engineering and Rice Cultivation

The Angkor civilization's agricultural success relied on innovative water management. Engineers constructed massive reservoirs (baray)—the West Baray alone held 48 million cubic meters—connected by an intricate canal network that captured monsoon rains, prevented flooding, and enabled multiple annual rice harvests. This hydraulic system supported intensive wet-rice cultivation, generating surplus that funded temple construction and sustained large populations. Modern research suggests that over-extension and climatic changes in the 14th-15th centuries stressed this system, contributing to Angkor's decline. Contemporary Khmer farmers continue rice cultivation traditions, with Cambodia remaining a major rice exporter, though modern techniques increasingly supplement traditional methods.

Modern Challenges and Cultural Resilience

The 20th century brought tremendous trauma to Khmer society. French colonization (1863-1953), the Vietnam War's spillover, and especially the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime (1975-1979) killed approximately 1.7-2 million Cambodians—nearly a quarter of the population—deliberately targeting educated individuals, artists, and Buddhist monks. This catastrophe severed cultural transmission and created profound intergenerational trauma. Since the 1990s, Cambodians have worked to revive traditional arts, rebuild Buddhist monasteries, and document survivors' testimonies. Contemporary Khmer culture blends traditional practices with global influences, as younger generations navigate modernization while honoring ancestral heritage. Angkor Wat remains a powerful symbol of resilience and national identity.

Academic References & Further Reading