On the occasion of the 8th anniversary of the inscription of the epic tale Inav Busba on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register, Samdech Moha Bovor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of Cambodia, issued a powerful and resonant statement: “The protection of cultural heritage is the duty of every Cambodian child.”
This message transcends simple political rhetoric; it is a profound philosophical declaration that shifts the mandate of preservation from a bureaucratic task to a collective national responsibility. This article explores the depth of this statement, identifying the breadth of heritage that requires protection, detailing the consequences of cultural loss, and outlining practical mechanisms through which every Cambodian citizen, particularly the youth, can fulfill this duty.
I. Defining the Scope: What Heritage Must Be Protected?
The term “Khmer Cultural Preservation” often conjures images of Angkor Wat, but the duty articulated by the Prime Minister applies to the entire spectrum of Cambodian heritage, which is typically divided into two main categories:
1. Tangible Heritage (The Physical Treasures)
This includes all physical objects and places left by our ancestors. Protecting this heritage is crucial to preserving the historical narrative of the Khmer civilization.
- Architectural Heritage: Temples (Angkorian and pre-Angkorian), historical homes, ancient bridges, and historical city structures. This requires vigilance against vandalism, illegal excavation, and environmental decay.
- Archival Heritage: Ancient manuscripts, royal documents, historical photographs, and records, such as those related to the Tuol Sleng Genocide. As celebrated with Inav Busba, these documents are the Memory of the World.
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2. Intangible Heritage (The Living Soul)
This category is often more fragile and requires active practice to survive. It constitutes the “living soul” of the nation.
- Performing Arts: Apsara Dance, Lakhon Khol (Masked Theatre), Sbek Thom (Shadow Puppetry). This involves supporting masters and passing down the traditions.
- Knowledge and Skills: Traditional medicine, local customs, festival rituals, agricultural techniques, and, critically, the Khmer Language itself in its purest form.
The duty of the youth (“តួនាទីយុវជនក្នុងការការពារបេតិកភណ្ឌ”) is to ensure these intangible forms of expression and knowledge are practiced, modernized responsibly, and passed to the next generation.
II. The Grave Impact of Cultural Loss
The Prime Minister’s emphasis on “duty” stems from the irreversible damage caused by cultural loss. The consequences of neglecting this duty are far-reaching:
1. Erosion of National Identity
Cultural heritage is the foundation of Cambodian identity. Losing it means weakening the collective memory, making the country more susceptible to cultural homogenization or external influence. Heritage provides the unique narrative that differentiates Cambodia from its neighbours and the rest of the world.
2. Economic and Social Damage
Cultural sites and living traditions are powerful drivers of the economy through tourism. The loss of authenticity, through poor restoration or illegal trafficking of artifacts, directly impacts Cambodia’s global appeal and reduces sustainable economic benefits for local communities.
3. Disconnection from Ancestors
Allowing traditions and history to fade severs the vital link between the youth and their ancestors. The duty to protect heritage is fundamentally about respecting the sacrifices and ingenuity of past generations.
III. Mechanisms for Public Participation: Fulfilling the Duty
If protection is the duty of every child, how can the average citizen, researcher, or youth fulfill this profound responsibility?
1. Education and Active Learning (For the Youth)
The primary mechanism is self-education. Young Cambodians must actively seek to learn the history, the language, and the traditional skills that make up their heritage. This includes:
- Choosing Cultural Studies: Pursuing academic research or vocational training in traditional arts, archaeology, and history.
- Language Vigilance: Insisting on the correct and rich usage of the Khmer language, especially in a digital age saturated with foreign terms.
- Digital Preservation: Utilizing modern technology (photography, video, documentation) to record and archive the knowledge of older generations.
2. Responsible Tourism and Guardianship (For the Public)
Every citizen who visits a cultural site becomes a steward of that location.
- Reporting Vandalism: Citizens must act as the “eyes and ears” of the heritage sector, immediately reporting illegal activities or vandalism to authorities.
- Ethical Consumption: Supporting traditional artisans and cultural performances ensures the economic sustainability of intangible heritage forms.
- Environmental Stewardship: Ensuring that cultural sites and their surroundings are kept clean and free from modern clutter.
3. Policy Advocacy and Research (For Researchers)
Cultural researchers have a critical role in providing the evidence base for effective policy. Their duty involves:
- Documentation: Rigorously documenting endangered traditions and knowledge.
- Policy Critique: Providing constructive analysis to the government on the efficacy of preservation laws and policies.
- Global Advocacy: Presenting Cambodian cultural studies on international platforms to increase global awareness and support.
Conclusion: Securing the Khmer Future
The statement, “The protection of cultural heritage is the duty of every Cambodian child,” is more than a slogan; it is a long-term vision for national resilience. It acknowledges that the future strength of Cambodia is not merely economic, but fundamentally cultural.
By embracing this collective duty—by learning, by respecting, and by actively preserving the tangible and intangible legacies—the youth and the general public can ensure that the identity of the Khmer nation, rich with history and arts, endures for generations to come. The duty is challenging, but it is the ultimate expression of patriotism and the key to securing the soul of Cambodia.