Culture

Khmer language, coming from the Pali is the main language of the country and is without tone contrary to the other language in the region. In the town, French and English are becoming more common.

Cambodians are mainly Buddhist. The official religion is Theravada Buddhism, which is also practiced in Laos, Thailand, Burma, and Sri Lanka. It was introduced to Cambodia in the 12th Century by King Jayavarman VII, where it replaced Hinduism. Much of this is in evidence at Angkor Wat where Buddhist statues sit atop Hindu plinths. During the Pol Pot regime, the religion suffered much but remained the national religion.

Food received some influences from Thailand or Vietnam and is based on the rice and a soup. Freshwater fish is really present in the Khmer cuisine and is often served with herbs such as lemon-grass, coriander, dill.

Unfortunately, the Khmer Rouge era has seen many books destroyed. However, since the beginning of the 90’s, we can observe a rebirth of the traditional arts such as theater, music, royal ballet, shadow theater.