Khmer people

Language and script

Khmer belongs to the Austroasiatic family and uses its own script, which developed from ancient South Indian scripts. The written language preserves literary and religious vocabulary while everyday speech varies regionally. The script is used for official, religious and cultural texts and remains a central element of Khmer identity.

Historical background

Khmer history is strongly associated with the Angkorian civilization (9th–15th centuries), which built monumental temples and developed sophisticated irrigation and urban systems. Earlier polities and later colonial and modern periods shaped Khmer society and institutions. Religious and artistic traditions from these eras continue to influence contemporary culture.

Culture and society

Khmer culture emphasizes rice agriculture, family and village life, and ritual cycles tied to the Buddhist calendar. Festivals such as the Khmer New Year and Pchum Ben combine Buddhist practice with older animist customs. Traditional arts—dance, sculpture, weaving and music—remain important markers of identity.

Distribution and notable facts

• Most Khmers live in Cambodia, where they represent the dominant ethnic group.
• There are Khmer minorities in Vietnam and Thailand and a modern diaspora in several countries.
• Khmer religious life blends Theravada Buddhism with customary beliefs and historical Hindu influences.

Understanding the Khmer involves both their long historical legacy and their living traditions: language, faith, arts and village-based livelihoods continue to define a people central to Southeast Asian history.