Cambodian handicrafts
Cambodian handicrafts, which are exclusively family-based 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 primary activity in regions 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. A distinction must be made between "luxury" handicrafts, intended for sale in the towns, and everyday handicrafts designed to meet the needs of rural populations.
Silk weaving
Silk sampot weaving belongs to the great Khmer tradition of craftsmanship. The richness and colorfulness of these fabrics vary from the sumptuous sampots of royal dancers, to ceremonial sampots, batik and spidery scarves. The Cambodian loom (with one or more rows of heddles), more or less the same type as the Western loom, is generally installed between the stilts of the house and used by the housewife in her spare time. They are most common in the Kandal, Kampong Cham and Takeo regions. The Russian market, the central market and the Artisans d'Angkor boutique in Siem Reap are the places where you'll find the widest selection of silks.
The Khmer tradition of silk weaving dates back to the sumptuous days of Angkor's great monumental constructions. This tradition has been handed down from generation to generation, right up to the present day. However, the turbulent war years of the 1970s forced craftsmen to work in the fields. The weaver's trade lost much of its practicality. There are six categories of fabric: the most sophisticated is hol, a piece of silk decorated with designs prepared on the weft threads using ligatures, the result of an ikat twill weaving process. The motifs are often vegetal or geometric. Indeed, hol far surpasses all other silk fabrics in Cambodia in its shimmering appearance and harmonious colors. The second group of fabrics is phamung, which is characterized by the plain coloring of fabrics without decorative motifs. Traditionally, hol and phamung are worn for official occasions and ceremonies. The third group is called anlunh. It's a silk piece with multicolored transverse stripes. The lboeuk is brocaded and decorated with flowers. As for chorabap, whose decorations are given by shaping heddles, it's a fabric lamé with gold or silver threads. The last group of fabrics, such as sarongs and kramas, is intended for more ordinary use, and is made of cotton or silk, or sometimes a mixture of silk and cotton. The dyeing technique used for Khmer silk increases the strength of the fibers and enables very stable dyes to be obtained. The range of fabric colors is based on combinations of yellow, red or black, resulting in browns, ultramarine blue or violet. The colors thus combined on the weft and warp shimmer and offer an alluring play of shimmers and reflections.
Basketry
The rush mats made in the provinces of Kampong Chhnang, Kandal and Prey Veng are famous for their finesse and rich colors. They find their place not only in traditional dwellings, but also in the interior decoration of expatriate homes. Because of their size and volume, once folded, these mats are of little interest to tourists, except for sunbathing on the beach in Sihanoukville. There are, however, a few less cumbersome "travel" versions. Artistic basketry, as well as the manufacture of furniture and 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 Sothéaros Boulevard, at the corner of Norodom and Mao Tse Toung Boulevards.
Pottery
Almost all the domestic pottery(chhnang) used in rural areas is produced in the Kampong Chhnang region using a very rudimentary technique, since the women who make it know nothing about the wheel. They shape them with a wooden utensil, literally turning around the pot. Then, they don't bake them, but simply put them over a flame. In the same province, several workshops produce large glazed pots and rustic earthenware, sometimes with a certain artistic cachet. But the finest Cambodian pottery is produced in Ratanakiri province, on the banks of the Sé San river. Very famous locally, these superb glazed jars are almost always bought by Laotians.
Precious stones and metals
Gold is still a widely-used currency, and you'll find money changers trading in gold around the markets, especially Phnom Penh's central market. Specialized stores and market stalls sell objects and jewelry in gold, silver, with or without precious stones, or even precious stones alone. We recommend that you exercise extreme caution if you wish to make an acquisition, as unless you are a specialist it is very difficult to distinguish the real from the fake. The certificates of authenticity themselves are far from all genuine! That said, you'll find some very fine pieces if you know your way around. In the Russian market in particular, there are many stalls selling finely crafted silver works.
Paint
There are many painters in Cambodia, especially around the Angkor temples. The best paintings are not necessarily the most expensive! In major cities such as Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, you'll also find some very fine art galleries with beautiful pieces. Of course, prices are generally higher, but most also offer delivery abroad.
Food products
It's not always easy to bring back your favorite dish from a trip. Of course, it's out of the question to slip your leftover fishamok or beef loc lac into your suitcase. On the other hand, some typically Cambodian dishes travel very well. Take coffee, for example. The provinces of Mondolkiri and Ratanakiri produce top-quality coffee, which you'll have no trouble finding in the markets. Palm sugar, sold in abundance on the roadsides, also keeps well and makes an excellent souvenir. Don't hesitate to take a look in supermarkets, where you'll find the most exotic ingredients, usually sufficiently packaged to be transportable. Finally, Cambodia and particularly the province of Kampot are world-renowned 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 may be. This is an important ethical issue that we'd like to stress. Certainly, by buying a pack of postcards from a little Cambodian boy who looks needy on the outskirts of a temple, you're providing him with a source of income. But you're also showing his parents that it's far more lucrative to send their children to sell postcards to tourists than to send them to school. You're also supporting the criminal networks that exploit child labor for their own profit. Not all street children are part of such networks, but you have no way of knowing if they are. It's much more responsible to buy from established... and adult... merchants. Also, be aware that your behavior influences that of the vendors. If you buy from street vendors who harass visitors at temple entrances, you're showing them that this method works. We advise you to gently push them away and buy from stalls with less aggressive vendors, or in stores.
Markets are an excellent place to find souvenirs, whether local products or handicrafts for visitors. You'll find everything, at every 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 doesn't mean saving every penny. Keep in mind that this penny is used to feed a family.
Souvenir stores and cooperatives are also good choices, but negotiation is essential. Be aware that if a guide takes you to a particular store, it's usually because he's getting a commission. This practice is not particularly reprehensible, but prices will generally be a little higher than those you find yourself.
