Widyatama University

Subject : Interpersonal Skill

Lecturer : Feri Sulianta

Topic : Culture and Society

Presenters : Chan Sopheak

I. Culture
1. Religion
1.1 Most Khmer Buddhist believe in the Four Noble Truths
Most Khmer are Buddhist and believe in the Four Noble Truths. These are:
• All sentient beings suffer. Birth, death, and other separations are inescapably part of life.
• The cause of suffering is desire. Desire is manifested by attachment to life,
to security, to others, to being itself, etc.
• The way to end suffering is to cease to desire.
• To way to cease to desire is to follow the Eightfold Path:
(1) right belief
(2) right intent
(3) right speech
(4) right conduct
(5) right endeavor or livelihood
(6) right effort
(7) right mindfulness
(8) right meditation.
The Buddha
 Following the path leads to cessation of desire and to nirvana or emancipation from
rebirth and the endless cycles of suffering. The picture is of the Buddha meditating , protected
by Naga. Worship is at a temple and at altars in individual homes. Worship at temples is
usually led by one or more monks , often with the gentle assistance by a lay elder.
As worship includes monks and congregation chanting in Pali or Bali they also burn
joss sticks , and pray. Worship may be concluded by the monks eating their food.
 The Three Poisons are also obstacles to the attainment
of good Karma. Thus we have to abandon them by all means.
 Greed
Greed is the cause of many offences. The five greedy desires are :
wealth, sex, fame, eating and sleeping. Greedy desire is endless and therefore
can never be satisfied. The lesser the greedy desire, the happier and more
satisfied we are. The best prescription to deal with greed is in giving away.
 Anger
Hatred to people is another cause of evil deed.
We should not lose temper and get angry when we are unhappy.
We should be calm and patient.
 Delusion
It means the persistent belief in something false and distorted. We have to
observe and think in an objective and rational manner, so as to avoid
prejudice and misunderstanding. For instance, if we don’t believe in cause
and effect , and then commit offence frequently and heavily, we will
suffer from the retribution.
1.2 BUDDHIST FESTIVALS
 Buddha Day
 Ullambana
 Dharma Day
 Sangha Day

Buddhist Priest
2. Customs & Traditions
 Most of Cambodia’s population lives in rural areas as farmers. In the countryside, houses
are made of palm leaves and bamboo and are usually built on stilts to protect
them from floods that occur annually. A rural village is most often made up of a group
of houses that center around a central area.
 The husband is the head of the family he is responsible for providing the family’s
shelter and food, while a wife controls her family’s finances. The Khmer wife is also
considered the ethical and religious heart of her family. In the countryside, her duties
include caring for children, washing clothes, cleaning the house, and growing rice.
Clothing is simple and material possessions are hard to come by. Women tend to
wear cotton shirts with ankle length skirts.
 Men and women both wear a krama, a Multi purpose cotton garment. Family
life in the city is quite similar. The wife may also work outside the home. In the
city clothing is simple, Cambodians usually wear Western
style clean nice looking clothes. Cambodian families typically have
about five children.
3. Khmer Wedding
 A traditional Khmer wedding is one of the most joyous occasions for a Khmer
family and typically lasts for three days. It is a grand affair, full of color and festivity,
as well as steeped in tradition. Family, friends, and the community come together to
share in the celebration. Musicians play throughout the day on traditional
instruments, and the couple is dressed like royalty. The bride may change her outfit
several times in one day.
 Most Khmer men marry between nineteen and twenty-five years of age. Women
marry at a younger age. A single young Khmer man commonly asks his parent’s
permission and for them to ask for the hand of the girl his loves to
marry him. After marriage many young couples will stay the first two years in the
home of one of the couple’s parents, until they have one or two children. At that time,
the parents will help to take care of the children and the couple
will move to their own place.
 Society
Cambodia as well the other countries over the world have any society things.
At the moment I will talk about Cambodia society, and just I quote some parts of it
and demonstrate here.
 The Peoples of Cambodia
Believe it or not, in 2004, this country had an estimated population of 13 million
people. And, Cambodia actually owns one of the highest population growth rates in
Asia.
Khmer makes up 90% of the total population. The largest minority group, at
about 5% is the Vietnamese. The Chinese make up another 1%. The population
estimates take into account the effects of increased mortality in Cambodia.
Specifically, there is an excess mortality rate due to AIDS; which ultimately
compromises life expectancy for infants as well as adults. So, of course, this caused
a change in distribution of population by age and sex.
 The Life of Cambodia
In rural Cambodia today, agriculture accounts for 90% of the gross domestic
product or income; representing the traditional mainstay of the Cambodian
economy. However, rice has always been the principle commodity. As a matter-of-
fact, rice is a vital economic factor in Cambodia’s agrarian society. Secondary crops
that contribute to Cambodia’s economy is maize, cassava, sweet potatoes, soy beans,
sesame seeds, ground nuts, dry beans, and rubber.
Second to rice, the primary commodity is the commercial crop, rubber. Rubber
is one of the country’s few sources of foreign exchange. The exploration of rubber
began in the mid 1980’s. The Soviet Union was and continues to be a major
customer. Other commercial crops after that included sugar cane, cotton, and tobacco.
The Cambodians or Khmers also raised livestock as an essential part of their
economic life. For example, water buffalo and oxen played a crucial role in the
preparation of rice fields. Cambodians generally ate freshwater fish as it provided a
major source of protein.
Farmer and Son Sitting on Ox-Cart, Near Siem Reap
Differences in the City Life and Rural Living

Unfortunately, as a result of the Khmer Rouge regime rule that occurred during
the 1970s, many residents were forced to move out of the cities. Therefore, most of
the population resides in the rural areas. Only about 10% of the citizens of Cambodia
live in urban areas. During the Khmer Rouge period, families were separated and
killed. The period also dictated the overall dynamics of the country.
For Cambodians that reside in the rural lands, poverty and farming is the only
life they know. Although, poverty also exists in the urban lands, there is immense
opportunity for economic growth and power.
 The urban life of Cambodia today is supported by its business community. Urban
Cambodia consists of banks, restaurants, schools, and factories. However, the business
leaders as well as the well- being of the families are basically controlled by the government.
The urban poor have no political voice. Yet, the business leaders bravely delivered
demands upon the politicians; requesting that the government recognize the citizen’s right to
live in homes without the fear of eviction, to be guaranteed job opportunities, and the
development of the poor to become the government’s top priority, to name a few.
The Central Market in Phnom Penh Young Family on Motorcycle, Phnom Penh
So in short…
Rather rural or urban, the country faces many challenges as it is a rapidly changing
society.
In Cambodia today, the majority lives in rural areas- living below poverty level,
while a distinguished majority enjoys immense wealth. However, it is a country that is
made up of an array of cultures; different ethnic groups, speak different languages, and
follow different belief systems. Most of them do have one thing in common: poverty.
The end of presentation

Thank You !!