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Monday, December 17, 2012

Cambodian red and blue checkered scarf or krama




krama (Khmerក្រមារ) is a sturdy traditional Cambodian garment with many uses, including as a scarfbandanna, to carry children, to cover the face, and for decorative purposes. It is worn by men, women and children, and can be fairly ornate, though most typical kramas contain a gingham pattern (can be checckered pattern) of some sort, and traditionally come in either red or blue. It is the Cambodian national symbol. It can be also be folded as a hammock

Clothing in Cambodia is one of the most important aspects of the culture. Cambodian fashion differs according to ethnic group and social class. 

Khmer people traditionally wear a checkered scarf called a Krama

















The "krama" is what distinctly separates the Khmer (Cambodians) from their neighbors the Thai, the Vietnamese, and the Laotians. 

The scarf is used for many purposes including for style, protection from the sun, an aid (for the feet) when climbing trees, a hammock for infants, a towel, or as a "sarong". A "krama" can also be easily shaped into a small child's doll for play. Under the Khmer Rouge, krama of various patterns were part of standard clothing.

Wiki

For me, it's hard to find somewhere to see the traditional weaving work in a very short period of time
Krama is a popular gift. Most of visitors buy it as a gift for themselves and their friends.
Krama has many kinds. I find some sell in 2 USD and even 5 dolar for a thicker one.


Look at the above photo and Come back to a short reading from UNDP site:

Plaeng Pralaev, an indigenous Kreung woman from Cambodia’s northeastern Rattanakiri province, broke into a little smile while displaying the US$10 note she had just collected selling a hand-woven cotton scarf to a Western tourist visiting her village. The money was her first income in over a week.
“We very much depend on the mercy of visitors in trying to sell scarves to buy rice for the family,” the 25-year-old woman said.

Her village, Kreh, is one of grinding poverty. There, the 312 Kreung residents face chronic rice shortages typically between six and eight months each year. To generate additional income, men and women make scarf and rattan products - traditional handcrafts symbolizing their indigenous cultural identity. But slow sales and limited knowledge of how to market their products leave them struggling to survive.



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