Khmer people: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 04:21, 29 December 2024

The Khmer people are an ethnic group native to Cambodia, accounting for over 90% of the country's population. They are part of the larger Austroasiatic peoples and are closely related to the Mon people and other ethnic groups in Southeast Asia.

History

The Khmer have a rich history that dates back to the ancient Khmer Empire, which was one of the most powerful empires in Southeast Asia from the 9th to the 15th century. The empire is renowned for its monumental architecture, including the famous Angkor Wat temple complex.

Language

The primary language spoken by the Khmer people is the Khmer language, which is the official language of Cambodia. It is part of the Austroasiatic language family and has its own script, which is used in religious and cultural texts.

Culture

Khmer culture is deeply influenced by Theravada Buddhism, which is the predominant religion among the Khmer people. Traditional Khmer culture includes classical dance, music, and art, which are often performed during religious and cultural festivals.

Religion

Most Khmer people practice Theravada Buddhism, which plays a central role in their daily lives and cultural practices. There are also small communities of Khmer who practice Animism and Christianity.

Diaspora

In addition to Cambodia, significant Khmer populations can be found in Vietnam and Thailand, where they are recognized as ethnic minorities. The Khmer diaspora also extends to countries such as the United States, France, and Australia, where they have established vibrant communities.

References

Template:Ethnic groups in Cambodia Template:Southeast Asia topics

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-[[File:Khmer_Robam_Apsara_(cropped).png|left|Khmer Robam Apsara (cropped)|thumb]] [[File:Khmer_people_distribution_Map.jpg|Khmer people distribution Map|thumb|left]] [[File:Preah_Thong_and_Neang_Neak.jpg|Preah Thong and Neang Neak|thumb]] [[File:Ancient_Khmer_script.jpg|Ancient Khmer script|thumb]] [[File:Cambodia,_Khmer_Empire._2-70._LOC_gm71001173_(cropped).jpg|Cambodia, Khmer Empire. 2-70. LOC gm71001173 (cropped)|thumb]] '''Khmer people''' are the predominant ethnic group in [[Cambodia]], where they constitute approximately 97% of the over 15 million population. The Khmer people are known for their deep history and rich culture, which dates back to the [[Angkor]] period, a time when the [[Khmer Empire]] was one of the most powerful in Southeast Asia.
+{{Infobox ethnic group
+| group = Khmer people
+| image =
+| caption =
+| population =
+| region1 = Cambodia
+| pop1 =
+| region2 = Vietnam
+| pop2 =
+| region3 = Thailand
+| pop3 =
+| languages = [[Khmer language]]
+| religions = [[Theravada Buddhism]], [[Animism]], [[Christianity]]
+| related = [[Austroasiatic peoples]], [[Mon people]], [[Vietnamese people]]
+}}
+The '''Khmer people''' are an ethnic group native to [[Cambodia]], accounting for over 90% of the country's population. They are part of the larger [[Austroasiatic peoples]] and are closely related to the [[Mon people]] and other ethnic groups in Southeast Asia.
 ==History==
-The history of the Khmer people is closely tied to the rise and fall of the Khmer Empire. From the 9th to the 15th century, the empire flourished, and its influence extended over much of mainland Southeast Asia. The magnificent temple of [[Angkor Wat]], built in the early 12th century, stands as a testament to the empire's architectural and cultural achievements. However, after the 15th century, the empire went into decline, and the Khmer people faced numerous challenges, including invasions by neighboring countries and European colonialism.
+The Khmer have a rich history that dates back to the ancient [[Khmer Empire]], which was one of the most powerful empires in Southeast Asia from the 9th to the 15th century. The empire is renowned for its monumental architecture, including the famous [[Angkor Wat]] temple complex.
+==Language==
+The primary language spoken by the Khmer people is the [[Khmer language]], which is the official language of Cambodia. It is part of the [[Austroasiatic language family]] and has its own script, which is used in religious and cultural texts.
 ==Culture==
-Khmer culture is one of the oldest in the region and is heavily influenced by [[Buddhism]], particularly Theravada Buddhism, which was adopted by the Khmer Empire in the 13th century. Traditional Khmer culture includes classical dance, music, and arts, which have been passed down through generations. The [[Cambodian New Year]], or Choul Chnam Thmey, is one of the most important cultural celebrations, marking the end of the harvest season.
+Khmer culture is deeply influenced by [[Theravada Buddhism]], which is the predominant religion among the Khmer people. Traditional Khmer culture includes classical dance, music, and art, which are often performed during religious and cultural festivals.
-==Language==
+==Religion==
-The Khmer language, part of the Mon-Khmer language family, is the official language of Cambodia. It is used in government, education, and media, and has its own script, which has been in use since the 7th century. The language is notable for its complex system of social registers, which dictate the level of politeness in speech based on the social status and relationship of the speakers.
+Most Khmer people practice [[Theravada Buddhism]], which plays a central role in their daily lives and cultural practices. There are also small communities of Khmer who practice [[Animism]] and [[Christianity]].
+==Diaspora==
+In addition to Cambodia, significant Khmer populations can be found in [[Vietnam]] and [[Thailand]], where they are recognized as ethnic minorities. The Khmer diaspora also extends to countries such as the [[United States]], [[France]], and [[Australia]], where they have established vibrant communities.
-==Economy==
+==See also==
-Traditionally, the Khmer economy has been based on agriculture, with rice being the staple crop. In recent decades, the economy has diversified, with significant growth in the textile, tourism, and construction sectors. Despite this, many Khmer people, particularly those in rural areas, continue to rely on subsistence farming.
+* [[Khmer Empire]]
+* [[Angkor Wat]]
+* [[Cambodian culture]]
+* [[Austroasiatic peoples]]
-==Challenges==
+==References==
-The Khmer people have faced numerous challenges in recent history, including the brutal regime of the [[Khmer Rouge]] in the 1970s, which led to the deaths of an estimated 1.7 million people. The country has made significant progress in recovering from this period, but many Khmer people still face issues related to poverty, education, and access to healthcare.
+<references/>
-==Conclusion==
+{{Ethnic groups in Cambodia}}
-The Khmer people have a rich cultural heritage and a history that has seen both great achievements and significant challenges. Today, they continue to be the main cultural and demographic force in Cambodia, contributing to the country's development while preserving their unique traditions and identity.
+{{Southeast Asia topics}}
 [[Category:Ethnic groups in Cambodia]]
-[[Category:Khmer]]
+[[Category:Khmer people]]
-{{Asia-stub}}
+[[Category:Austroasiatic peoples]]
+[[Category:Indigenous peoples of Southeast Asia]]