Phnom Penh: The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts and the Ministry of Cults and Religion have jointly clarified that in the original Khmer “engagement ceremony”, there was no handshake on the day of the engagement.
The appeal of the two relevant ministries on June 1 said that in the past, some Cambodians celebrated their children’s “engagement ceremony” by including handshakes, and some people used government uniforms, insignia, and administrative symbols in some wedding ceremonies. However, such arrangements are affecting the original form of marriage and are not traditional Khmer ancestral customs, as handshakes are only held on the day of the wedding. The uniforms of civil servants, insignia, and administrative symbols are not the clothes used in the wedding ceremony.
The Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Cults state that the original form of marriage or wedding is a ceremony that is embedded with educational philosophy, morality, and noble cultural values, especially the appreciation of women. Each form of the ceremony was properly organized by Khmer ancestors and has a clear sequence, with a clear distinction between the “engagement ceremony” and the “wedding ceremony”.
The meaning of the engagement ceremony (or sại dàn): It is the first stage of the agreement between the elders of both sides, leaving the descendants of the blood to be connected to each other in the future. In the engagement ceremony, ancient Khmer customs only include the sại dàn, the giving of a pledge of affection (wearing a ring) and the ceremony of confirming the word (sại dàn). The couple have not yet become a full husband and wife according to law and tradition.
The essence of the ceremony of bowing and tying hands: It is a ceremony of paying homage to the ancestors of both sides, uniting the couple as husband and wife, with relatives from both sides showering flowers to bless them and recognizing them as husband and wife in accordance with tradition.
The letter also states that ancient Khmer customs and traditions and the practices of some people in the past do not conform to traditional rules and regulations, affecting the original values of Khmer wedding ceremonies. Without the handshake ceremony on the day of the engagement.
The Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Cults call on all wedding planners, priests, musicians, artists, and professionals involved in wedding ceremonies to participate in the observance of wedding ceremonies in accordance with the rules and regulations and to review the use of traditional clothing according to the type of ceremony.
