Cornell Southeast Asia Program Outreach CAMBODIA EXPLORER BOX INVENTORY LIST NAME & CODE NUMBER PICTURE DESCRIPTION Monkey Mask This is a miniature version of the mask which Cambodian dancers wear when they dance as the magical monkey Hanuman. Such a mask is made of paper mache and takes about a week to fashion. Silver Bracelet This silver bracelet is in traditional Cambodian design. These bracelets are worn by Cambodian women and children. Cambodians often give their children jewlrey, especially with bells, to alert the parents if a stray demon tries to snatch their child away. Silver Container Shaped as a Bird Khmer Silversmithing reached is height during the 11th Century of Angkor when Royalty and the upper class used the crafted objects for ceremonial purposes. Craftsmen produced all kinds of silver objects ranging from silver boxes, images of Buddha, jewlrey and little bird containers such as this. Musical Figurines These are different figurines from a Cambodian instrumental ensemble called a pin peat ensemble. This collection of instruments is thought to have evolved from the Angkor period in Cambodia, so they are quite old. Musicians play music without any kind of musical score. Musical knowledge is passed down orally with no use of notation.
Roneat [xylophone] The xylophone, or roneat, is an important melody instrument in Khmer instrumental ensembles, including the pin peat ensembles. The roneat is found in different sizes, and is made of metal or bamboo. Sampho [barrel drum] The sampho is a small barrel drum and is considered to be one of the most important of the Khmer musical instruments. It is made from hollowed wood and tightened calf-skin at either end. The sampho controls the tempo and regulates rhythmic cycles. Chhing [cymbals] A chhing is a small pair of cymbals, like the ones which this figurine is playing, and are used in pin peat ensembles. Khloy [flute] The Khmer flute, or khoy, is one of the most popular instruments in Cambodia. This is partly because it is easily made from bamboo. Many people in the countryside play the khloy during travel or while watching cattle. Korng Thomm [gongs] These are circular gongs which are placed around the player who sits in the middle. This is called a big korng because it has 12 gongs, whereas other ones have a smaller amount.
Apsara Dancers Apsara dancers performing a traditional Cambodian dance. At the temples of Angkor Wat, there are many dancers identical to her on the walls. She wears a garland of flowers around her neck. Monk This figurine shows a Buddhist monk with his monk robes on his rice bowl. Robes are always saffron in color (warm shade of orange). Every morning monks go around their local neighborhood asking for rice as they are forbidden to purchase food and cannot eat after noon. Phra Mae Thorani - Goddess of the Earth Phra Mae Thorani is a Buddhist goddess. She is recognized as the Goddess of the Earth. She is often shown wringing the cool waters of detachment out of her hair. The water drowns the forces of temptation sent by Mara [demon] to distract the Buddha as he meditated under the Bodhi tree. Moni Mekhala [goddess] and Ream Eyso [giant] Moni Mekhala [the goddess] and Ream Eyso [the giant] form a legend outlining the origin of thunder and lightning. Ream Eyso's axe flying toward the goddess creates thunder, while Mekhala's sparkling ball lights up the heavens. Together they bring rain, the symbol of renewed life as it imparts fertility to Cambodian farmlands. Ruesii Figurine The Reusi are Hermit sages who spend their time meditating, collecting herbs, rarities and other substances.
Cambodian Baskets Common Cambodian baskets from which Merchant's typically sell their products in. Formal Boy's Shirt A Cambodian child's dress-up shirt worn to formal occasions. Cambodian Flag The national flag of Cambodia was readopted in 1993, after elections returned the monarchy to rule. The Cambodian flag holds the distinction of being the only flag in the world to feature a building in its design. Red and blue are traditional Cambodian colors.
Cambodian Fabric Krama The Krama is used by people in Cambodia to do many things. It is a scarf which rural Cambodians often wear while working in the fields for sun protection, when travelling to keep dust from their eyes, when transporting heavy objects to stabilize them on their heads or when bathing in the river to wrap around their waist. It is generally white and red checkered like this one. Cambodian Silk This particular piece of silk is from the Cambodian wedding ceremony, hence the amount of gold thread. Silk making is prevalent in Cambodia and for many families it is a way of life. Cambodian Postcards Several Cambodian postcards featuring Cambodian landscape, architecture, culture and everyday life. Children's Khmer Script Workbook A common children's workbook featuring grids to assist young students in mastering the Khmer Script.
Children's Khmer Script Workbook A common children's workbook featuring grids to assist young students in mastering the Khmer Script. Children's Khmer Workbook A common children's workbook featuring illustrations and accompanying Khmer to assist young students in mastering everyday words and actions in Khmer. Cambodia & Phnom Penh A Cambodian road map featuring Phnom Penh [capital of Cambodia], Angkor Wat, Siem Reap and Sihankoukville. 2004 Sarika Issue This issue of Sarika, a magazine featured in Siem Reap Airways aircraft, looks at four musicians who have began to learn Khmer instruments, an artist who paints Cambodian landscape, and features informaiton on Cambodian touristing. Southeast Asian Map A map of Southeast Asia featuring Cambodia.
National Geographic Issue This National Geographic issue features Angkor, a region of Cambodia that once was the center of the Khmer empire. Angkor had been the largest, preindustrial city the closest rival being the Mayan city of Tikal. Angkor flourished between the ninth and thirteenth centuries.