People & Culture of Cambodia

Most of the people who live in Cambodia are ethnic Cambodian, averaging between 90-95% of the total population making Cambodia the most homogenous country in South-East Asia. Vietnamese make up the largest minority group with about 5% of the population and Chinese make up another 1%. With one of the highest population growth rates in Asia (2.5% per year), Cambodia had a population of a little over 11 million in 1998. Due to the Khmer Rouge rule during which residents were evicted from the cities, most of the population lives in rural areas, with only about a tenth living in urban areas.

Religion in Cambodia is predominantly Buddhism with 95% of the population being Theravada Buddhist. Most of the remaining population adheres to Islam, Christianity, Animism and Hinduism. Islam is the religion of a majority of the Cham or known as Khmer Islam and Malay minorities in Cambodia. Cambodia's official language is Cambodian, or Khmer. This language belongs to the Mon-Khmer (Austro-Asiatic) language family and is relatively confusing and difficult for Westerners to manage. French had been the second most popular language until the 1990s, when English made an introduction. Vietnamese and South Chinese dialects are other languages spoken.

Hindu cosmology has had a great influence in the culture of Cambodia which in turn has had a rich and varied history dating back many centuries. Cambodian Buddhism appears an easy going faith and tolerates ancestor and territorial spirit worship, which is widely practiced in the country. Most important Cambodian ceremonies which include weddings, funerals and coming of age have both Buddhist and animist elements. Cambodia is rich in arts and architecture and this date from the Angkor period. All the surviving monuments are built of stone or brick, and all are religious buildings. During the Angkor period, architecture and its decoration were governed by a series of mystical and religious beliefs. Traditional Cambodian arts and crafts include textiles, non-textile weaving, stone carving and kite-making. Cambodia has experienced a recent artistic revival due to increased support from governments, NGOs, and foreign tourists. Cambodian music has undergone a great deal of westernization. The Cambodian pinpeat ensemble is traditionally heard on feast days in the pagodas. It is also a court ensemble used to accompany classical dance for ritual occasions or theatrical events. Cambodian Dance can be divided into three main categories: classical dance, folk dances, and vernacular dances.

Khmer cuisine is similar to that of its Southeast Asian neighbours although it is relatively unknown to the outside world. Cambodian cuisine also uses fish sauce widely in soups, stir-fried cuisine, and as dippings. Beef noodle soup known simply as Kuyteav is a popular dish brought to Cambodia by its Chinese settlers. In Cambodia there is regular aromatic rice and glutinous or sticky rice. The latter is used more in dessert dishes with fruits such as durian. Almost every meal is eaten with a bowl of rice. Typically, Cambodians eat their meals with at least three or four separate dishes. Each individual dish will usually be one of sweet, sour, salty or bitter. Chili is usually left up to the individual to add individually. In this way Cambodians ensure that they get a bit of every flavor to satisfy their palates.