20 Unique Cambodia Traditions You Need to Know Before Visiting Cambodia

Cambodian-Jewish fusion wedding

In the following text, we will tell you some special customs and traditional stories in Cambodia. While understanding novel knowledge, we can also help you avoid unintentional offenses in your future travels!

1. Never Eat all the Food on Your Plate

Ancient Khmer cuisine

The ancient Khmer people believed in gods and believed that every place had gods, including mountains, rivers, forests, and villages.

Therefore, before eating, they always take out a thumb sized Rice and vegetable roll and present it to God, asking God to bless peace and happiness.

When modern Cambodian people ate, they never ate all their food and must leave a little rice in the pot for their deceased ancestors to eat. The ancestors who came home to eat leftovers were mostly demons or ghost kings.

2. No Touching Their Head during Visiting Cambodia

Children playing games freely

Khmer tradition indicates that Buddha and God have always protected human heads, and only Buddha and God are qualified to touch their heads. Therefore, it is taboo for others to touch their own heads.

Young people should never touch the head of old people, children should never touch the head of parents, and younger brothers should never touch the head of older brothers. Even school teachers cannot touch students' heads.

Only elders such as grandparents, parents, and uncles can touch the heads of younger generations. Sometimes friends who are friends of life and death may be separated for many days. When they meet, they may pat each other's heads due to excitement.

3. Almost Every Boy in Cambodia Will Be a Monk for a While

Boy entering monkhodd

Temples in Cambodia are sacred. Cambodians believe in Buddhism, and almost every boy has to be a monk for a period of time.

Legend has it that there was once a hunter named "Bu" who sent his only son "Ben" to a temple and made him shave his hair to become a monk. Because the hunter shot countless animals and went to hell after death, the little devil of hell tormented him. But whether in the oil pot or in the sea of fire, there is always a lotus flower holding up "Bu".

The little ghost couldn't understand his meaning and asked "Bu" what good deeds he had done in the world. After thinking for a long time, "Bu" remembered that he had sent his son to become a monk. Therefore, the little ghost let him go and let him return to the world. This story is widely circulated in Cambodia.

Therefore, people always send their children to temples to become monks, even in times of war. The child is sent to a temple by his parents to learn Khmer, mathematics, law, and some martial arts. At around the age of 18, he officially became a monk. Next, he can choose to continue in the temple or enter the secular life.

4. When Get Marriage, the groom needs to live in a makeshift shed on the first day

Tie the bride and groom's wrists together with blessing strings

Due to its tropical location, both men and women in Cambodia develop earlier, with women generally around 16 years old and men getting married around 20 years old.

Usually, the first day is the "gate entry day", when the groom enters the door, the second day is the "main day", where a thread wrapping ceremony is held. The relatives of both parties wrap the thread around the wrists of the newlyweds, and the third day is the "chapel day", indicating that the two hearts are connected.

Nowadays, weddings are usually simplified, and urban residents and intellectual families often adopt modern wedding forms to hold various civilized weddings according to their own preferences.

5. Cambodian People Don't Eat Meat Too Much due to Buddhism 

Khmer dishes

Cambodians mainly eat rice. Because they believe in Buddhism and do not kill animals, they do not eat animal meat, but prefer vegetable dishes. However, on holidays in Cambodia, they still have fish and meat on their tables, and the dishes are very rich.

They prefer spicy, sweet, and sour flavors, with chili peppers, scallions, ginger, and garlic being indispensable seasonings. They appreciate Chinese Cantonese and Yunnan cuisine very much.

6. Cambodian People Love to Take A Bath in the River

Cute kids showering

Due to the hot weather in Cambodia, local people have a habit of taking showers.

Before receiving guests or visiting others, take a shower and change into clean clothes. If bathing in a river, men are upstream and women are downstream.

And they must be separated by a certain distance, and the elders and younger generations must also be separated.

7. There is a special sign to express a person’s passing

Cambodia mourns former king Norodom Sihanouk

If a family member dies, they usually put one or two crocodile flags in front of the house to indicate that the family member is dead.

During the funeral, all relatives and friends wear white mourning clothes, and the cremation time is usually arranged at night.

After three days of cremation, descendants retrieve the urn and place it at home for worship, or build an ash tower for burial in a temple.

8. There is a special traditional festival about the hungry ghost

Blessing food for monks during Pchum Ben

Legend has it that once upon a time, a merchant went out to sea to do business. At midnight, the merchant discovered many hungry ghosts wandering on the island looking for food

A clever businessman came to his senses and said, "Please put us back. Eating us is equivalent to killing our entire family."

After hearing this, the Ghost King said that we are also helpless hungry ghosts, and no one has worshipped us for hundreds of years.

The merchant begged to let us go back, and we promised that our descendants would sacrifice food every year.

From then on, a ceremony is held every year from October 1st to 15th in the Buddhist calendar when the north wind blows, becoming a traditional festival throughout Cambodia - the "Day of the Dead".

9. Cambodian people like to use colors to express emotions

Women dressed in colorful costumes are working in the field

This is one of the most colorful Cambodian traditions!

People like to use colorful and pink clothing colors to represent the day. They like to use bright yellow on Monday, purple on Tuesday, green on Wednesday, gray or light blue on Thursday, red on Friday, black on Saturday, and red on Sunday.

The above habitual way of wearing is particularly prevalent in religious activities, hence it is known as the "Colorful Week".

Exploring the Timeless Beauty of Cambodian Traditional Clothing

10. During visiting Cambodia, use your gestures properly

Children waving hi

When you come to Cambodia, everyone should pay attention. Some gestures you make may unintentionally harm your Cambodian friends.

In Cambodia, gestures are commonly used to express specific meanings, such as extending five fingers together to indicate "victory"; Clenched five fingers into fists to express "dissatisfaction" and "anger"; Four fingers together, thumb bent towards palm, indicating "surprise" and "sadness".

11. Cambodian people like the cockfighting game

Cockfight scene field

This is one activity of battle and fun in the culture of Cambodia!

In the history of Cambodian people, there were elephant fights, bullfights, cockfights, and fish fights. Nowadays, cockfights are still a favorite activity of many people, and some people gamble on winning or losing.

People use their carefully cultivated and trained roosters to participate in the war, and use money, rice, and other things as bets. The onlookers believe that which rooster is likely to win, so they bet on that rooster. If they bet right, they win, and if they bet wrong, they lose.

12. The child’s name may come from the father’s surname

A new born Cambodian kid

How to address a person is also very particular in Cambodian traditions!

One feature of Cambodian names that often confuse westerners is the origin of family names and the order they are used. This can present confusion in schools and in clinics.

The Cambodian children usually carry the last name of the father with some exceptions. Siblings may have different last names due to the favoritism of the parents.

For example, the father of a Cambodian family name Sok, Narvaratt, has two daughters. The first daughter’s name is Sok, Sophany; and the second daughter’s name is Narvaratt, Keokalyan.

13. You will enjoy an authentic Cambodian meals when visiting local family

Smoked fish in Kep Crab Market Cambodia

Cambodian people are very friendly and polite. In food culture of Cambodia, they enjoy entertaining guests with traditional dishes!

The main Cambodian food is rice, while the main side dishes are fish and shrimp, lettuce, and cold dishes. Famous dishes for entertaining guests include smoked fish, smooth egg shrimp, vegetarian dishes, cold salad, and so on.

Cold mixed vegetables are made by adding scallions, ginger, garlic, chili peppers, coconut juice, etc. to the vegetables.

14. When paying a visit to local family, guests need to clean and tidy the clothing

A young man is in his homestay in Cambodia

When visiting friends in Cambodia, it is necessary to arrange a time in advance and attend the appointment on time. At that time, the host will be waiting at home.

Guests should pay attention to clean and tidy clothing. When the guests meet, people have to raise both hands, places palms together in the lotus-like fashion while bowing slightly. (Sampeah)

The behavior should be steady and generous, the expression should be natural and sincere, and the attitude should be amiable.

15. Angkor beer is high-quality & affordable, never miss out during visiting Cambodia

Tempting Angkor beer

Wine culture of Cambodia is well-known for Angkor beer here.

This local beer has a slightly astringent taste, as named after Angkor, it may be the most culturally literate player in the beer industry.

Angkor beer is high-quality and affordable, with prices ranging from $0.5 to $1.5, making it a favorite among European and American tourists.

16. The Cambodian dance is actually imitating the movements of snakes

Cambodian folk dance

The classical dance of Cambodia is basically imitating the movements of snakes, with human hands being the head of the snake and feet being the tail of the snake.

Besides, the folk dance in Khmer tradition has a long history and a distinct ethnic style. It is more active than palace dance, becoming an important component of Cambodian dance.

For example, the Chang-yang dance originated before the era, where actors had to draw various facial masks or wear masks during the dance. Imitating the actions of humans or animals in the sound of gongs and drums, the plot is lively and humorous.

17. Row houses are the most traditional form of housing in Cambodia nowadays

Kampot row houses

Around 2010, there were very few high-rise buildings in the urban area, most of which were low rise buildings with three or four floors.

Such houses are called "row houses". Row houses are the most traditional form of housing in Cambodia in recent decades.

Usually, the first floor is a commercial store, and the second floor leads up to the bedroom, kitchen, and storage room.

18. You will see many beautiful stilted houses in Tonle Sap Lake area

Stilted houses on Tonle Sap

It has always been common in culture of Cambodia, especially in Tonlé Sap Lake area. The biggest reason why people build it is the climate.

During the rainy season in Cambodia, the roads are filled with water. People have to build houses higher than land!

Life on the Water: 5 Facts about the Floating Villages in Cambodia

Royal Farming Festival

Khmer Royal Ploughing ceremony

The Royal Farming Festival is a vital Khmer tradition in the Kingdom of Cambodia, held in May of the Gregorian calendar every year.

According to custom, farmers are not allowed to plow and cultivate until the King presides over the Royal Tillage Festival ceremony. Even if we miss the agricultural season, we dare not act recklessly.

19. The Royal farming festival is a vital Khmer tradition in Cambodia

People participated in the first day of Water Delivery Festival

This is one of the most meaningful Cambodian traditions!

It marks the end of the rainy season and the arrival of the fishing season throughout the year. Everyone happily enjoys the fruits of a year's labor and welcomes the arrival of the next planting season!

During the festival, lanterns and colorful decorations are hung around the palace and by the banks of the Mekong River, and residents of Phnom Penh have a 3-day holiday!

20. There is a festival to celebrating the end of the rainy season

After understanding the above traditions and customs, we have listed three major characteristic scenic spots and destinations. You can go to these places to experience Khmer tradition and local customs!

- Pub street Siem Reap

The Red Piano bar, Pub Street, Siem Reap

During the day, you can eat in restaurants on the street, and at night, come to a bar for a drink to experience the unique nightlife of Siem Reap. Red Piano and Temple Club are very famous bars here.

In addition to bars, there are also some bookstores selling English books and postcards, as well as some handicraft shops.

Tip!

Don't drink alcohol from strangers casually.

Moderate alcohol consumption.

And it is best for women to go with friends.

- Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat, also known as Angkor Temple, is located in Cambodia and is known as the national treasure of Cambodia. It is the largest temple in the world!

When visiting Angkor Wat, you can immerse yourself in the grandeur of traditional Khmer architecture. You can occasionally encounter monks dressed in Buddhist attire in the corners of various temples, thus experiencing the rich and quiet Buddhist culture.

Tip!

In Angkor, you will encounter many children begging.

Before departure, you can prepare some stationery, snacks (such as candy), or bring unused disposable laundry supplies from star rated hotels to give to them.

- Royal Palace of Cambodia

Royal Palace of Cambodia

You can choose to visit Royal Palace as the top of your itinerary to gain an early understanding of the Khmer royal family.

The entire palace is divided into two parts. The northern part is inaccessible to visitors due to the presence of royal residences, while the southern part is accessible where locates the Silver Palace.

Tip!

Entering the Coronation Palace and the Silver Palace requires removing shoes

and hats, and placing shoes on the shoe rack outside the gate.

Photography is strictly prohibited inside the palace.

Here are also some itineraries you may be interested in:

6 Days Angkor Discovery Tour

14 Days Cambodia Road Tour to Sihanoukville

17 Days Cambodia Tour from Temples to the Sea

Last but not the least

Each country has its own unique cultural tradition. Cambodia, a country located in Southeast Asia, gives people a strong Buddhist impact.

Amid the dry and hot rainy season and abundant water resources, there are also warm and hospitable Cambodian people. Culture of Cambodia nourishes and grows here.

We’re always waiting for you to make an appointment.

Contact us to tailor your Cambodia tour!