What makes Khmer Kites unique?

 

Many people know about kites but they don’t know exactly about Khmer kites. In Cambodia kites are very special. The word for kite in Khmer is KLENG. It is the name of a bird (eagle). Kite flying  is a popular game in Cambodia and is part of its traditional culture and long history.

 

There are three religions involved in the flying of kites. First, people have ancient beliefs to do with magic or secret power. They fly kites for freedom, happiness and peace. They believe  that if the kite drops on the roof of a house that means it is bad luck because they think that it will make the people in the house get sick or die.

 

Second, people believe in Brahmanism. People pray to have good weather. They pray for wind because the sound of kites can call the wind and they wish to not have floods.

 

The last belief is about Buddhism. When people fly kites, it means they are devoted to escorting Buddha to TRAY TROENG (heaven) and are devoted to THUN CHEY who is a wise philosopher of Cambodia.

 

There are two seasons in Cambodia: Dry and Rainy Season but they usually fly kites during the dry season because that’s time when there is more wind  after the Water Festival, maybe around November and December. It is the harvest season, so they like to fly on the farms or in the fields. Also a kite needs to be flown by two or three persons, because it is very big.

 

However, there are some cultural challenges to do with Khmer kites. There are kites imported from other countries. Also Khmer kites are difficult to make and difficult to use. Furthermore, Government has not promoted Khmer kites well and people don’t use Khmer Kites for business purposes. Also, war destroyed Khmer kites long years ago and the practice was nearly lost.

 

The Khmer kite is traditional and unique. It was lost because of war for a while. However, nowadays the government tries to promote the Khmer kite. Soon people in the world will know about Khmer kites more clearly and precisely. Furthermore, the government should promote the Khmer kite to schools and tourists places. Also, the government should encourage people to run businesses making small kites to sell to people locally and to export to other countries. Also they should try to research more and more about kites types to help make them popular again.