Cultural practices and expressions linked to Krama, a traditional woven textile in Cambodia

Inscribed in 2024 (19.COM) on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

Krama is a woven textile associated with traditional practices and cultural expressions of the daily life in Cambodia. A rectangular cloth made of either cotton or silk, krama features a variety of grid-pattern motifs. The white, yellow, red and blue dyes used are extracted from natural vegetation and insects, and the cloth is woven manually using a traditional handloom. A socio-cultural staple, krama is used daily through all walks of life, as a scarf, belt, blanket, bandana, lower garment, decorative cloth, and hammock for children. It is also used during rituals, ceremonies and festive events, as well as to prepare food and in health care. Although krama is predominantly produced by women, men also participate in the process by planting and harvesting cotton, collecting the materials for the dyes, and maintaining the handlooms. In the past, most women knew how to weave krama and passed the knowledge and skills on to their daughters. Today, professional krama groups and producers are taking over the production role. Educational organizations play an important role in transmitting the related skills and knowledge through training courses and workshops. The krama chain of production is based on a collaborative approach that promotes social cohesion and peacebuilding while contributing to Cambodian social and cultural identity.