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Compiled
by Cambokid, Picture Courtesy of Ministry Of Tourism.
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A long time
ago it was only men who wore Kbin whilst women were
never seen wearing them. A Kbin is a Cambodian sarong
of sorts. Historically recorded in the bas-reliefs
of many temples, the Kbin used to be shorter only
reaching above the knees. This proves to be quite
different from the Kbin in recent times. However
the size of Kbin has been kept the same at 1m x
3.20 metres, it is only in the mode of wearing that
times have changed.
The way to wear Kbin differs from time to time.
Usually they wear it by joining both sides together
and then wrapping them around the hip. The remaining
material is then passed between the legs and tucked
into the waist on the backside. It is commonly |
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believed that the
wearing of the Kbin was adopted from the Kleung people
(Indian). The Kleung people worshiped many religions but
the most common was Brahmanism.
The Khmer people at that time liked to read the story
of Ramkei (Ramayanaka) - a Hindu epic poem describing
the stories of the Gods. It was believed that the Kleung
wore the Kbin because they respected Haknukmana (The Monkey
God) who is an escort of Preah Ramayanak (Preah Ram).
Haknukmana helped Preah Ram in the story. Thus, it is
out of gratitude to Haknukmana, that the Kleung had to
wear white, because Haknumana was a white monkey. They
also had to wear the skirt, or sarong, with a tail because
a monkey has a tail. |
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Nowadays
both men and women wear the Kbin, especially for
special ceremonies. The Kbin usually is worn with
Av Bam Pong Kor Trang Veng (a kind of long sleeved
shirt, which usually is white in color) for the
men and Av Pak (a kind of women's shirt) or Av Bam
Pong Kor Trang Klei (a kind of short sleeved shirt,
which is also usually white in color).
With it's origins in religious texts and its use
continuing today, it provides a look into the past.
The Kbin may be less common today but the simple
fact that it is reserved for special occasions shows
that it has not lost its place within the hearts
of the Cambodian people. |
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Originally for men, nowadays
women also don the Chorng Kbin
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B8, Regency Square, InterContinental Hotel, 294 Mao Tse Toung
Boulevard,
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Tel: (855) 23 213 133 Fax: (855) 23 213 033
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