Cambodia Seeks UNESCO Recognition for Khmer Wedding Rituals

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Khmer Times

 

Cambodia has formally nominated its elaborate Khmer Traditional Wedding Ceremony for inclusion on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, marking its latest effort to preserve and promote the country’s ancient customs.

 

The submission, made by the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, highlights the enduring role of traditional marriage rituals—known as Kar—in Cambodian society. These ceremonies, rich in symbolism, music, costume, and ritual procession, are still widely practised across the Kingdom.

 

According to a statement by Ministry spokesperson Sum Map, the nomination dossier was submitted in April 2024 and is currently under review by independent experts at UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The evaluation process is ongoing, with a final decision expected by the end of 2026.

 

“The objective of the Kingdom of Cambodia in nominating the Khmer Traditional Wedding is to safeguard the customs of the Khmer people and to share our rich cultural heritage with the world,” said Sum Map.

 

The wedding ceremony itself spans multiple days and features a sequence of ornate rites—each steeped in symbolism and guided by oral tradition. Dancers, musicians, elders, and local artisans all play key roles in preserving the practice, often handing down their skills and knowledge through the generations.

 

Officials say the nomination was the product of collaboration across government institutions, local communities, cultural experts, and traditional practitioners. The process has so far adhered strictly to UNESCO’s guidelines.

 

If successful, the wedding ritual would join Cambodia’s growing list of internationally recognised traditions, including the Royal Ballet, Sbek Thom (shadow theatre), Kun Lbokator martial arts, and the iconic Krama textile.

 

The Ministry hopes the recognition will not only help preserve the practice, but also raise global awareness of Cambodia’s deep-rooted cultural identity—one that continues to thrive in the daily lives of its people.

 

For now, the Kingdom waits as UNESCO’s experts deliberate, with optimism that one of its most cherished social traditions will soon earn a place on the world stage.

 

-2025-07-09

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My boyfriend and I got married in a Khmer village ceremony here in Surin in mid-2013.

 

I guess it must have been the cut-down version.