Culture of Cambodia

Apsara dancer in front of Angkor Wat, two Cambodian cultural symbols.

Throughout Cambodia's long history, religion has been a major source of cultural inspiration. Over nearly two millennia, Cambodians have developed a unique Cambodian culture and belief system from the syncreticism of indigenous animistic beliefs and the Indian religions of Buddhism and Hinduism. Cambodia's achievements in art, architectures, music, and dance from the 9th and 14th century have had a great influence on many neighboring kingdoms, namely Thailand and Laos. The effect of Khmer culture can still be seen today in those countries, as they share many close characteristics with current-day Cambodia.[1][2] The Tai borrowed from the Khmer many elements of Indianized Khmer culture, including royal ceremonies, customs followed at the court, and especially the Indian epic Ramayana, which influenced not only literature but also classical dance. Even in modern Thai culture the legacy of ancient Khmer culture is still evident.

  1. ^ "The Angkorian World, Mainland Southeast Asia after Angkor, On the Legacies of Jayavarman VII" (PDF). Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  2. ^ "Thailand - Mon-Khmer civilizations. (n.d.)". Britannica. Retrieved December 22, 2021.