A Change of Guard

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Sunday 16 September 2012

Scantily-clad teenage girls leave academic speechless

Khmer clothes for wedding party

PHNOM PENH (Cambodia Herald) - If people are what they wear, today's teenage girls seem to have forgotten the gentle manner to which young Khmer ladies are traditionally expected to adhere.

Orn Pahna, director of the Cultural Research Department at Royal University of Phnom Penh, says he's been left speechless by the skimpy outfits frequently worn by teenage girls on any occasion.

"Nowadays, they absorb 99 percent of foreign culture. Sexy outfits are seen not only in Phnom Penh but everywhere in rural areas," he said. "I think they may have forgotten how to wear a sarong."

Orn Pahna said Cambodia was now "far different" from countries like India, Vietnam and Laos, which share  similar cultural traditions. "Those people have continued their culture very well in terms of dressing, speaking and showing respect," he said.

"I don’t blame Khmers as I'm Khmer. But if foreigners come to Cambodia and stay only in Phnom Penh, they'll not know what Khmer girls look like," the academic said.

"I don't mean they should wear sarongs or silk skirts to go to the market or shopping. But they should at least  wear such dresses at wedding ceremonies or temples. Some teenagers even wear sexy dresses at temples."

Orn Pahna says he's saddened by assertions that the problem comes from an inability to control the flow of foreign culture into Cambodia.

"So who should be responsible for this? I know that some people blame the government for these things. But, in fact, they have been doing their best. I'm also not blaming teenagers. But they should at least take care of their culture," Orn Pahna said.

"I really want social media to pay more attention to this issue and I'd like them to show more cultural education rather than things that damage our culture."

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Blame their parents lacks of understanding their own culture and tradition or how to wear on occasion for example: go to Watt and party are different outfit should be worn for appropriate way with respectfully as a teenager and/or khmers' tradition.

All parents must know their khmers' tradition and culture.Wear appropriately start at home parents knows best don't let them wear inappropriate clothes control their behavior started at home if they don't listen let them go naked then they will not dare to wear inappropriate or sexy as foreign culture.

Yobal Khmer.

Anonymous said...

Three on the right were wearing okay clothes,the two on the left were wearing inappropriate for going to Watt (Temple) to party are ok with two gals on the left,but to temple is NO!....Parents please teach your childrents teenage's girls how to dress rights and appropriate way with respectfully of your tradition and culture as Khmer.

Please don't let foreigner culture influence your childrents teenage's girls behavior and forget your own tradition and culture.The so call "Star"role model of teenagers were the entertainers star in the their eyes,they want to be dressed like them,so please dress appropriately according to occasion.

Parents you're the first line of teenagers'gals prevent them from dress inappropriate start from home.

Kmenhwatt.

Anonymous said...

Khmer inside the country wanted to have light skin and dressed like the caucasian or some idiot foreigner. Contrary most of Khmer born or live outside of the country love their own Khmer dress and Krama and also used the Khmer Krama.