Krama Khmer (Cambodian scarf) was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity during the 19th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, being held in Asunción, Paraguay tonight (Cambodian time).
This is another new pride for the 7th-mandate Royal Government for having attained this achievement for the nation and the Cambodian people as a whole, wrote Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet in a message to his compatriots released tonight, stressing that this listing gives Cambodia and the international community the same obligation to preserve, protect and enhance the value of Krama as a legacy for the younger generation.
Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet expressed his gratitude to Their Majesties the Queen-Mother and the King for their support to the Royal Government’s efforts in protecting the national cultural heritage, especially the vulnerable intangible cultural heritage.
The Premier also spoke highly of the efforts and close cooperation between the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts and other institutions, national and international experts, Krama weaving community, Krama community as well as provincial and municipal authorities in making the inscription of Krama on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity a success.
At the same time, Samdech Thipadei profoundly thanked all his compatriots for continuing to maintain, produce, and use Krama in their daily lives, which is the national identity and precious legacy.
“Krama is an important part of the daily lives of Cambodian people from birth to death. They use it for various purposes, such as covering themselves, decorating themselves, making clothes in all forms, shielding themselves from the sun, wiping themselves, tying it as a baby’s hammock and using it in various ceremonies […],” said the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts.
In 2018, Cambodia broke the Guinness World Records for the Longest Krama with a length of 1,149.8 metres and a width of 88 centimetres.
The Kingdom has previously registered four of her heritage on Tangible Cultural Heritage List, six on Intangible Cultural Heritage List and three on Memory of the World Register to preserve the original form of culture and the priceless heritage left by Khmer ancestors as well as the memory of Cambodian history. The 13 listed Cambodian heritage include:
1. Tangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity: Angkor Archeological Park listed on Dec. 14, 1992; Preah Vihear Temple on July 7, 2008; Sambor Prei Kuk temple complex on July 8, 2017; and Koh Ker Archeological Site on Sept. 17, 2023.
2. Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity: Preah Reach Troap Dance (Royal Ballet) inscribed on Nov. 7, 2003; Lkhon Sbek Thom, the big shadow puppet theatre, on Nov. 25, 2005; Tean Prot (tug-of-war) on Dec. 2, 2015; Chapei Dang Veng, Cambodian two-stringed, long-necked guitar, on Nov. 30, 2016; Lkhon Khol Wat Svay Andet on Nov. 28, 2018; and Kun Lbokator, traditional martial art, on Nov. 29, 2022.
3. Memory of the World Register: Tuol Sleng Genocide Archives registered on July 31, 2009, the Audio file of Reamker by Ta Krut on May 15, 2014; the story of Inav Bosiba on Oct. 30, 2017.
