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UNESCO congratulates Cambodia for Krama鈥檚 inscription
The cultural practices and expressions linked to Krama, traditional woven textile in Cambodia, were inscribed onto the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, in the course of the 19th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Asunci贸n, Republic of Paraguay. This important recognition constitutes a crucial milestone in the preservation, development, and dissemination of Cambodia鈥檚 rich cultural heritage.
Krama as a unique expression of intangible heritage of mankind
With its distinctive chequered pattern and its innumerable functions, the Krama represents an emblematic expression of Khmer culture, and a ubiquitous feature in the lives of Cambodian people, accompanying them ever since birth.
The Krama is the fabric used to wrap or carry a baby, the headscarf which protects workers in the fields from the scorching sun, the towel to dry oneself after a swim, the bandage used to treat a snake bite, the cloth used to cook or transport food.
As a garment, each Krama is unique to one individual, as it is believed to hold particular spiritual power, which brings about good fortune and protection to its bearer. It can be worn as a scarf, a belt, a blanket, a bandana: when wrapped around the hips, it is referred to as a Sampot, while it is called a Peanea when worn diagonally across the upper body, and a Chorn Pong if draped across a woman鈥檚 chest.
During traditional games, Kramas can be seen bundled into a ball to play the Chol Chhuong, tied around the waists or foreheads of Bokator fighters to indicate their status, or twisted into a blindfold for the Reay Bangkong and Veay Kaom during the Khmer New Year celebrations.
Dating back to the Angkorian era, as evidenced by its depictions in the 12th century bas-reliefs of the Bayon Temple of Angkor Thom, the Krama has consistently held a deeply symbolic role in Khmer national identity, as a marker of important events and celebrations, featured in wedding ceremonies, religious rituals, funerary rites.
The socio-cultural significance of the Krama for the people of Cambodia cannot be understated, and, therefore, it is crucial to promote concrete safeguarding mechanisms for the preservation and dissemination of the traditional techniques, knowledge, and practices surrounding its production.
To discover more information about the Krama and its tradition, click .
Keeping traditional weaving practices alive:
In the vast landscape of the garment production industry in Cambodia, which provides over 750,000 jobs, and represents 40% of the country鈥檚 exports, the promotion of traditional weaving practices represents a chance to support small and medium enterprises, which place community engagement, sustainability, and women鈥檚 empowerment at the heart of their activities, while respecting, safeguarding, and perpetuating Cambodia鈥檚 cultural identity.
While techniques and materials have evolved throughout the history of the country, authentic skills and customs have been kept alive and transmitted across the generations, thanks to the work of Cambodian weavers.
In particular, Cambodian women have played a pivotal role, as the bearers of traditional weaving knowledge, including the preservation of classic patterns and the use of wooden handlooms, which were passed down from mother to daughter through the years.
However, Krama production is not limited to weaving techniques, but rather entails the involvement of entire social groups and ecosystems, as it includes sustainable methods to grow and harvest cotton, farming silkworms, processing raw materials, threading silk or cotton, and extracting natural dyes from plants and insects.
According to recent surveys, over one thousand handicraft communities in Cambodia revolve around Krama manufacturing, relying on it as primary source of livelihood, a tool for local development, and a catalysis for social cohesion.
The inscription of the Krama onto the UNESCO World Heritage List represents a unique opportunity to highlight the work of traditional weaving communities at a global level, expanding their market around the country and abroad, and encouraging cultural tourism.
UNESCO鈥檚 support for Krama promotion and safeguarding
As remarked upon by Mr Sardar Umar Alam, UNESCO representative to Cambodia:
鈥淭he important recognition of the Krama as an Intangible Cultural Property of humanity is not only a great achievement for the Kingdom of Cambodia, and a celebration of its rich cultural heritage, but it entails a major occasion to invest in the country鈥檚 wealth of cultural capital, harnessing it as a driver for community empowerment, poverty alleviation, and inclusive economic growth, in alignment with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development鈥.
91麻豆国产精品自拍 been providing technical assistance to the Royal Government of Cambodia, through rounds of trainings and capacity-building workshops, to support the nomination of the Krama for the Intangible Heritage List.
These initiatives, which saw the involvement of representatives from handicraft communities and traditional weaving organizations, had the objective of enhancing the awareness of government officials and civil society representatives alike on the importance of the 2003 Convention on Intanigible Heritage, while discussing the cultural significance of the Krama, and debating future priorities for the safeguarding of the cultural practices and expressions related to the element.
About the 2003 Convention:
The primary objective of the for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage is to protect and promote the practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, and skills that social groups and individuals recognize as part of their cultural heritage.
In order to be kept alive, intangible cultural heritage must retain its significance within a community, its practices must be continuously recreated, and associated knowledge, skills, and meanings valorized and transmitted.
The safeguarding of intangible heritage does not equate to freezing tradition into a pure and immutable form, but rather encouraging its constant evolution and interpretation, enabling future generations to access, appreciate, and engage with their cultural heritage, developing unique relationships with it, and harnessing culture and creativity as drivers for sustainable development.
Since the ratification of the Convention by Cambodia in 2006, the UNESCO Phnom Penh office has provided technical support to the Royal Government of Cambodia, in particular the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, to promote and safeguard living heritage. This has resulted in the inscription of 6 elements on the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity: (2008), (2008), (2015), (2016), (2018) and , traditional martial arts (2022).
UNESCO remains committed to supporting the country of Cambodia and its people in their efforts to safeguard the cultural heritage of humanity, and promote its potential to contribute to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Click here to find out more about UNESCO鈥檚 work in Cambodia.
