A CULTURE’S clothing is symbolic of the nation. The Kingdom of Cambodia has a unique culture that dates from ancient times and continues today. Many people still wear traditional Khmer clothing to pagodas, to weddings and other ceremonies.

When there is a traditional ceremony, we often see beggars, young and old, inside the pagodas and outside the gates, asking for money. After they are given money, some of them use it to buy food – but others use it to buy drugs that can ruin their future and disrupt society.

Pchom Ben has arrived, and people are bringing food to the monks in pagodas and praying to dead family members. Some teenagers wear traditional clothing, made from silks such as Hol or Phamuong, to pagodas, but some wear sexy dresses. We discuss how that reflects on Khmer culture and whether it’s a good model for other young women.

On the topic of Khmer culture, we also speak to a 24-year-old who is exceptionally skilled in Chapei Dang Veng, A Yai, Mohaori and other styles of tradit-ional music.

She is not the only talented young woman in this week’s issue. We speak to a lady who designs traditional Khmer clothes, especially Khmer wedding clothes. She quit her nursing studies to start her own business specialising in wedding apparel.

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