Cambodian handicrafts
Cambodian handicrafts, exclusively family and traditional, are often nothing more than a secondary occupation for rural populations during the off-season of the agricultural calendar. It is only a main activity in areas with very poor soil and high population density. Thus, the economy of many villages in the provinces of Kandal, Kompong Speu and Kampot is essentially based on the harvesting of palm sugar and the artisanal manufacture of sugar. It is important to distinguish between "luxury" handicrafts, intended for sale in the cities, and everyday handicrafts intended for the needs of rural populations.
Silk weaving
The weaving of silk sampots belongs to the great Khmer craft tradition. There is a great variety in the richness and colors of these fabrics, whether they are the sumptuous sampots of royal dancers, ceremonial sampots, batik or spidery scarves. The Cambodian loom (with one or more rows of heddles), similar to the Western loom, is generally installed between the piles of the house and used by the housewife during her leisure time. It is in the regions of Kandal, Kompong Cham and Takéo that one finds the greatest number of them. The Russian Market, Central Market, Artisans of Angkor and the Artisans of Angkor store in Siem Reap are the places where you can find the largest selection of silks
The Khmer tradition of silk weaving dates back to the magnificent times of the great monumental buildings of Angkor. This tradition has been passed down from generation to generation until today. However, the troubled period of the 1970s, marked by war, forced the craftsmen to work in the fields. The weaver's trade had lost much of its practice. There are six categories of fabrics: the most sophisticated is hol, a piece of silk decorated with designs prepared on the weft threads with ligatures, the result of a twill weaving process of ikat. The designs are often vegetal or geometric. The hol indeed surpasses by far all other silk fabrics in Cambodia by its shimmering aspect, by the harmony of its colors. The second group of fabrics is phamung, which is characterized by the plain coloring of the fabrics without decorative patterns. Traditionally hol and phamung are worn on official occasions or ceremonies. The third group is called anlunh. It is a silk piece with multicolored cross stripes. The lboeuk is brocaded and decorated with flowers. As for the chorabap, whose decorations are given by heddles of shaping, it is a fabric lamé of gold or silver threads. The last group of fabric is intended for a more ordinary use as the sarong or the krama, in cotton or silk or sometimes a mixture of silk and cotton. The dyeing technique of Khmer silk increases the strength of the fibers and allows to obtain very stable dyes. The range of colors of the fabrics is constituted from combinations of yellow, red or black, giving browns, ultramarine blue or violet. The colors combined on the weft and warp shimmer and offer a very attractive play of shimmer and reflection
Basketry
The rush mats made in the provinces of Kompong Chhnang, Kandal and Prey Veng are famous for their fineness and richness of color. They find their place not only in traditional houses but also in the interior decoration of expatriates' houses. Because of their size and volume, once folded, these mats can hardly interest tourists, except for sunbathing on the beach of Sihanoukville. However, there are some "travel" versions that are less cumbersome. The art of basketry as well as the manufacture of furniture, decorative or utilitarian objects, in rattan or bamboo, have been well developed since the war. Many specialized stores can be found in the south of Phnom Penh, on Sothearos Boulevard, at the corner of Norodom and Mao Tse Toung Boulevards.
Pottery
Almost all the pottery for domestic use (chhnang) used in rural areas is produced in the Kompong Chhnang region following a very rudimentary technique since the women who practice it ignore the wheel. They shape them with a wooden utensil by literally turning around the pot. Then, they do not cook them in the oven, but simply pass them to the flame. In this same province, several workshops are dedicated to the manufacture of large glazed potteries and rustic earthenware sometimes with a certain artistic touch. But the most beautiful Cambodian pottery is produced in the province of Ratanakiri on the banks of the Se San River. Very famous locally, these superb glazed jars are almost all bought by Laotians.
Precious stones and metals
Gold is still a very common currency and you will find around the markets, especially around the central market of Phnom Penh, money changers also trading in gold. Specialized stores and market stalls sell gold and silver objects and jewelry, with or without precious stones, or even precious stones alone. We recommend you to be very careful if you want to make an acquisition, because unless you are a specialist it is very difficult to distinguish the real from the fake. The certificates of authenticity themselves are far from being all genuine! That said, you will find some very nice pieces if you know how to find them. In the Russian market in particular, many stalls offer very finely made silver works.
Paint
Painters are numerous in Cambodia, especially around the temples of Angkor. The best paintings are not necessarily the most expensive! In the big cities like Phnom Penh or Siem Reap, you will also find art galleries of very good quality with beautiful pieces. In general the price is of course higher, but most of them also offer delivery abroad.
Food products
It's not always easy to bring back your favorite dish from a trip. Of course, it is out of the question to put your leftover fish amok or beef loc lac in your luggage. On the other hand, some typical Cambodian dishes travel very well. This is the case of coffee for example. The provinces of Mondolkiri and Ratanakiri produce a high quality coffee, which you will have no trouble finding on the markets. Palm sugar, sold in abundance on the roadside, also keeps very well and will make an excellent souvenir. Don't hesitate to go to the supermarkets, where you can find the most exotic ingredients, usually packed enough to be transportable. Finally, Cambodia and particularly the province of Kampot are known worldwide for the quality of their pepper.
Soaps and beauty products
Khmer people are masters at harvesting local herbs, plants and minerals and transforming them into a myriad of different, mostly organic beauty products. From day cream to bath salts, these products are usually packaged to perfection and make for great souvenirs.
Where and how to buy?
Let's start with a recommendation: don't buy from children, no matter how cute they are. This is an important ethical issue that we want to stress. Certainly, by buying a pack of postcards from a little Cambodian boy who seems to be in need at a temple, you are providing him with a source of income. But you are also showing his parents that it is much more lucrative to send his children to sell postcards to tourists than to send them to school. You are also supporting the criminal networks that exploit child labor for their own gain. Not all street children are part of such networks, but you have no way of knowing if they are. It is much more responsible to buy from established... and adult. Also, be aware that your behavior influences the behavior of the vendors. If you buy from the street vendors who harass visitors at the entrance of the temples, you are showing them that this method works. We recommend that you gently push them away and buy from the less aggressive vendors or in the stores.
Markets are a great option for finding souvenirs, whether they are local products or crafts for visitors. You can find anything at any price. In Cambodia, souvenir prices are negotiated. A good negotiator is always respected by the seller... as long as you don't overdo it. Negotiating does not mean saving every penny. Keep in mind that this penny is used to feed a family.
Souvenir stores or cooperatives are also good choices, where negotiation is necessary. Be aware that if a guide takes you to a particular store, it is usually because he or she is getting a commission. This practice is not particularly reprehensible, but the prices will generally be a little higher than the stores you find yourself.
