“Folk games” are an ancient Khmer cultural art in Southeast Asia and have flourished and are a great testimony to show the world to know and admire Khmer civilization. Folk games originated from the daily life of farmers in each era, without a date or name of the creator, the initiator, and a clear history. They originate from the labor force, the daily life of the people, the farmers, and are only a matter of continuity.
Cambodia has many folk games that people all over the country like to play in their free time, during festivals and large-small ceremonies, Khmer New Year celebrations, etc. have been a tradition since ancient times.
If we look closely at the characteristics of the games, we will see that there are some benefits in terms of physical and mental. In addition, those games are pure old Khmer civilization, because Cambodia is an old country in Southeast Asia, thousands of years old, so there is a lot of knowledge – music – games.
These games do not have rules and regulations. They play only according to their own notes from generation to generation according to their local customs. The non-inscription of Khmer games as a document makes Khmer games cannot live long, and even the influence of foreign games continues to dominate, Khmer games are gradually fading, But the inscription as a rule is very difficult, only to find the search for a long time to achieve.
Entertainment is one of the most important things of human life and Cambodia does have a lot of games available for people from kids to adult to enjoy their time together.
As Khmer new year is approaching, there are many kinds of traditional games that you may consider playing with your friends, relatives, families, or neighbors. If you are able to recognize and learn all those traditional games, you will improve a lot in physicality and mentality. Thus, now let’s look at the variety of Khmer traditional games and other foreign influenced games as follows:
Pong Raot Koun Kromom or Bride Kidnaping Game “ល្បែងពង្រាត់កូនក្រមុំ” is a popular folk game that many Cambodians play during the Khmer New Year or their free time from work. People play this game for fun […]
Our ancestors have left behind many folk games for future generations to play during various festivals to create fun and increase mutual relationships. There are many Khmer folk games such as the King Game (Sdach […]
Our ancestors have left behind many folk games for future generations to play during various festivals to create fun and increase mutual relationships. There are many Khmer folk games such as the King Game (Sdach […]
The Kuos Tro Loak or Hit the Coconut Shell Game “ល្បែងគោះត្រឡោក” is one of the many Khmer folk games. This game is played at any time, but it is often played during the wedding ceremony, […]
Lout An Taek or Jumping the Trap Game “ល្បែងលោតអន្ទាក់” is a popular Khmer folk game played by children and young people in their free time and at night during the Khmer New Year. This game […]
Jarb Kon Khlaeng or catching the chicks Game (ល្បែងចាប់កូនខ្លែង) is a game that teenagers often play during the New Year. The game is not only for the New Year, but can also be played in […]
Bai Khom Game “ល្បែងបាយខុំ” is a popular Khmer game that mostly countryside people often play together during their free time. This game is played by two people, and the Bai Khom has 10 holes for […]
Jos Pror’ Mat Game “ល្បែងចោះប្រមាត់” is originated from Kampong Phlouk of Prasat Bakong district, Kampong Khleang of Soutr Nikum district and Chi Kreng district, Siem Reap Province. This Game is played during the rainy season […]
Some locals call it “Kon Koul Game (ល្បែងកូនគោល)” and it is a game played by young men, women, or teenagers in their free time during the dry season or the New Year season. The playing […]
Pror Jul Moan or Cockfighting Game “ល្បែងប្រជល់មាន់” is a game played by all ages of Cambodian during the night time. It is a game that provides as much laughter and excitement as Hit the Coon […]
Leak Kon Kas Game “ល្បែងលាក់កូនកាស” is a game for teenagers to have fun. This game can only be played in a stream or river that is waist-deep or chest-deep. How to play Youngsters must gather […]
Our ancestors have left behind many folk games for future generations to play during various festivals to create fun and increase mutual relationships. There are many Khmer folk games such as the King Game (Sdach […]
Reav Bong Korng or Finding Shrimp Game “ល្បែងរាវបង្កង” is a kind of traditional game that Cambodians often play during the Khmer New Year season or during the free time. The game is most often played […]
Leak Kon Saeng or Scarf Hidden Game is a kind of game that ancient Khmer children are often played as a recreation during the nighttime (under the moonlight), during the Khmer New Year season, or in between their free time.
There are many types of Khmer games. Some games are played only on the daytime or night time, some are played during Khmer Lunar new year, and some games are played indefinitely. Games that usually play only during the night time with moonlight and no need to have any festival such as Orb Tror Lach or Bes Ov Loeuk etc. This game is a fun game for girls and boys in every rural country in Cambodia.
Sdech Jang or King Game is a game that boys, girls, or teenagers from every village all over Cambodia, always play during their free time at night time under the moonlight. Players have too many male and female players which unlimited. When playing, they are divided into two groups, one male, and one female. In both groups, they set up a male or a female as a king to sit in the center.
Krob Moin game is an entertaining game for teenagers both male and female from all over Cambodia, often play in the free time at night. Players consist of male and female about 8 to 10 people on each side. For playing the game, they will choose one male and one female from both sides, covering them by skirt, scarf or blanket from hair to toe. But, do not let them know who they are and let the two face each other, man represent a male chick and woman represent a female chick.
Bet Paun is a game where young boys and girls always play on the night of the dawn. This game is played indefinitely in any season or month, as long as there is leisure time and no limit to the number of people. The measure of this game consists of the one who hides the others and the searcher. When the searcher catching the hide players and rounded their ears.
“Chol Chhoung”, known as “Chhoung”, is one of the most famous Khmer folk games. This game can ignite all players’ joy, bonding, and fascination. Moreover, this is the type of Khmer throwing game that everyone, especially teens and young adults, plays at the pagoda during Khmer New Year in April.
Tugging rituals and games in the rice-farming cultures of East Asia and Southeast Asia are enacted among communities to ensure abundant harvests and prosperity.
Bos Angkunh is a popular Khmer traditional game played especially during Khmer New Year at villages, or schools, especially at the pagodas. Angkunh is called after one kind of dried fruit from a climbing plant in Cambodia.
The name Ok is because each party’s purpose is to attack the Sdach in order to win, and when one is about to attack the king, they will say Ok.
