University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Molino Campus

Molino 3, Bacoor, Cavite

SOCIOLOGY
&
ANTHROPOLOGY

COURTSHIP AND MARRIAGE OF CAMBODIA

Prepared by:

Ornum, Leo John G.

BS Architecture V

University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Molino Campus

Molino 3, Bacoor, Cavite

Background
Cambodia, officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia and once known as the Khmer
Empire, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula
in Southeast Asia. The official religion is Theravada Buddhism. The "Kingdom of
Cambodia is the official English name of the country. The English "Cambodia" is an
Anglicization of the French "Cambodge", which in turn is the French transliteration of the
Khmer Kampuchea. Kampuchea is the shortened alternative to the country's official
name in Khmer, Preah Reacheanachak Kampuchea.
Courtship
Courtship patterns differ between rural and urban Khmer. Attitudes in the larger cities
have been influenced by Western ideas of romantic love that do not apply in the
countryside. A man usually marries between the ages of nineteen and twenty-five, a girl
between the ages of sixteen and twenty-two.
When it comes to dating in Cambodia, parents are very open with who their children
meet with. Parents find it partly their responsibility to find potential matches for their
children. Their kids are allowed to reject set-up dates. Many people meet through
school. During traditional dates, the couple is usually not alone. The girl may bring a
cousin, sister, or friend along.
From a very young age, Cambodian girls are taught to appreciate their relationships and
marriage, and boys are taught to be a good provider and a good husband. Long ago,
Cambodian men used to marry Chinese women for their beauty, but nowadays
Cambodians and Khmer people do not usually intermarry with other cultures or ethnic
groups.

University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Molino Campus

Molino 3, Bacoor, Cavite

Marriage
Cambodian marriages are very big events. Traditional marriages usually last 3 days.
Before it was traditional for the bride's family to arrange the marriage ceremonies and
celebrations, but now each family shares the responsibility, and couples can even
arrange their own marriages if they want.
Marriage ceremonies usually take place at the bride's home, which is decorated in pink
and gold silks. Guests and other people carrying gold and pink umbrellas offer fruits,
vegetables, and money to the bride's parents. The number of guests can range from a
few, to a few hundred. It depends on how wealth the family is, and if they can support
such a large crowd. At the ceremony, the bride and groom exchange fruit.
They cut each others hair with scissors that are said to have come from heaven. This is
a common tradition which is said to bring wealth to the couple. The tea ceremony is
where both the bride and the groom are requested to offer tea to the spirits of their
ancestors. Cotton threads soaked in holy water are tied around the couple's wrists. After
the ceremony, there is a large party with a lot of food, music, and joke-telling. After the
traditional ceremonies, the couple goes to get their legal marriage certificate.