Art

Khmer visual art forms have different names. Some forms have taken names from any musical instrument or musical orchestra such as Yike theatre or Mahori theater, etc. But, other forms have taken over the name of the most popular artist such as Yike theater.

Bokator, known formally as Labokator, is a Khmer material art form that involves close hand-to-hand combat, ground techniques, and weapons. Bokator is one of the earliest Khmer material art and second in age only to the Mon-Khmer style of Yuthakun Khom. Moreover, this martial art is said to be the close quarter combat system used by the armies during the Angkor era. Practitioners are trained to strike with knees, elbows, hands feet, and even the head. Short sticks are commonly used as a weapon.

Baok Chambab is Cambodian traditional wrestling; a sport in which two opponents try to pin (hold) each other’s back to the ground. It has been practiced as far back as the Angkor period and is depicted on the bas-relief of the certain temple. The earliest form of Khmer traditional wrestling was called Maloyuth. Maloyuth was created in 788 A.D. by Brahmin Timu. It evolved to the current form of wrestling, Bok Cham Bab, in the 8th century. Although predominantly a male sport today, Khmer wrestling was once practiced by both sexes as female wrestlers are also displayed on the Banteay Srei temple.

Transportation has always played a significant role in human's life not only in the modern society but also in the ancient time. With sweeping technological changes, transportation is one of the main factors of each country because people have to move from place to place. 

Chapei Dang Veng (A Cambodian two-stringed, long-necked guitar) is used in Arak and Pleng Ka orchestras. Moreover, it is also performed solo instruments accompaniment of poetry, narrated folk stories, vocal duets of an argumentative style and riddle telling. Due to this special feature of the instrument which has brought it great popularity from early times right up to today and its music has been delighted by the Khmer people for many generations. 

It is believed shadow leather originated in Cambodia probably in the pre-Angkor period. Based on the evidence, for example, the stone inscription (K.155) at Kuk Roka, Kompong Thom from the pre-Angkor period, which describes woman puppeteers in a performance using figures in a ceremony invoking Sarasvati, the goddess of learning and the arts. This confirms the use of small puppet images in religious ceremonies. Based on this inscription, we believe that Khmer puppets originated in the pre-Angkor period (9th Century).