Khmer facts for kids

Khmer is a word that refers to several important things related to Cambodia, a country in Southeast Asia. It can mean:

• The Khmer people, who are the main ethnic group living in Cambodia.
• The Khmer language, which is the official language of Cambodia and is spoken by the Khmer people.
• The Khmer Rouge, which was a political group that ruled Cambodia for a few years in the 1970s.

The Khmer People

The Khmer people are the largest ethnic group in Cambodia. Most of them live in Cambodia, but there are also Khmer communities in neighboring countries like Thailand and Vietnam. They have a rich history and culture, known for their ancient temples, traditional dances, and unique cuisine.

History of the Khmer People

The history of the Khmer people goes back thousands of years. They are famous for building the amazing Angkor Wat temple complex, which was the center of the powerful Khmer Empire from the 9th to the 15th centuries. This empire was very advanced and influenced much of Southeast Asia.

Khmer Culture and Traditions

Khmer culture is vibrant and deeply rooted in Buddhism, which is the main religion in Cambodia. Traditional Khmer arts include classical dance, shadow puppetry, and beautiful silk weaving. The Khmer New Year, called Chaul Chnam Thmey, is a big celebration in April, marking the end of the harvest season.

The Khmer Language

The Khmer language is spoken by millions of people, mainly in Cambodia. It is different from many other languages because it doesn't use different tones to change the meaning of words, unlike languages like Thai or Vietnamese.

Writing System

The Khmer language has its own unique writing system, called the Khmer script. It developed from an ancient Indian script and is used to write everything from books to street signs in Cambodia. It looks very beautiful with its rounded letters.

The Khmer Rouge

The Khmer Rouge was a political group that came to power in Cambodia in 1975. They aimed to create a new kind of society, focusing on farming and removing city life. During their rule, they caused great hardship for the Cambodian people. Their time in power ended in 1979.

See also

In Spanish: Jemer para niños