Language/Central-khmer/Culture/Literature-and-Poetry
Central Khmer literature and poetry are an integral part of the rich cultural heritage of Cambodia. The art forms have a fascinating history, featuring celebrated works, renowned authors, and various literary techniques. The use of Cambodian language in literature has been essential in preserving and transmitting cultural traditions and knowledge among generations.
Literature
Cambodian literature encompasses various forms, including folk literature, religious literature, and secular literature. It has served as an essential tool for transmitting philosophy, cultural norms, and morality. Cambodia also has a long history of oral literature (orally transmitted stories), including myths, legends, and historical stories. Over time, the country's literature was influenced by several cultural periods, including Hinduism, Theravada Buddhism, and French colonialism.
Religious literature
Theravada Buddhism, the dominant religion in Cambodia, has had a significant influence on the country's literature. Many of the literary works are religious, and the language used is Pali and Sanskrit. Religious texts feature themes like Buddha's teachings, Buddhist philosophy, and interpretations of the holy scriptures like the Sutta Pitaka and Vinaya Pitaka. Notable religious texts include Boeung Khieng (Flowers of Fables), Sekha-sastra, and the Palm-leaf Manuscript.
Folk literature
Folk literature refers to storytelling, poetry, music, and dance, primarily performed in rural areas. Folk works are passed down orally from generation to generation, and the stories often revolve around historical events, brave warriors, and morality. Popular folk literature genres include Lakhaon Khaol, Robam Trot (Classical dance-dramas), Apsara Dance, and Pleng Ka.
Secular literature
Secular literature is written literature that is not based solely on religious or spiritual themes. It is a modern form of literature that began in Cambodia during the French colonial period. Many famous modern authors, notably Mao Samnang, have written works like poetry, short stories, and novels in the 20th century. Some of these works, however, were written in French rather than Khmer.
Poetry
Cambodian poetry is an ancient form of art that dates back to the Khmer empire. Traditional Khmer poetry features a unique syllabic meter known as Kandaep or Kandev in which poetic verses are composed in four or eight lines. The juxtaposition of words, especially antithesis and rhyme, is also an essential component of Cambodian poetry.
There are various types of Khmer poems, some of which include:
- Chbab Srey, a poem that teaches women to be good wives and mothers.
- Wedding song poetry, a type of poem recited during weddings.
- Chbap, a poetic form that is believed to provide protection against evil spirits.
Notable Cambodian poets include Chakrabongse Bhuvanath, Ukon Takayama, Oknha Kan Pich, and Ponnvanna Pheach.
Famous works
Cambodia has many celebrated literary works to its name, some of which date back to the Khmer empire. These works contain various themes and topics, including religious beliefs, mythology, and morality. A few examples of famous works include:
- The Reamker, a Cambodian version of the Hindu epic Ramayana.
- The Chbab Srey, a single poem that has become synonymous with Cambodian womanhood.
- The Choun Nath Khmer Dictionary, the first Cambodian dictionary created in the Khmer language.
Notable contemporary works include:
- Anti-Samai, a collection of poems that explore the Khmer Rouge period.
- News from Kampuchea, a collection of essays written about life in the Khmer Rouge era.
Conclusion
Cambodian literature and poetry hold interesting glimpses into Cambodian history and its rich cultural heritage. Authoring works in Khmer language has helped in preserving the cultural and philosophical norms by bridging the past and future generations. We hope this lesson has been insightful in introducing you to the world of Cambodian literature and poetry.