Penh NEWS: In 2024, the Khmer Kite Flying Festival and Free Kite Flying Festival in Siem Reap Province received great support from the participating participants and the general public, which proves that Khmer kite flying has become popular again in society.
The Khmer locals called the name "kite" as well as the name of the kite, but it can be inferred in part from the similar images of kites and kites.
Mr. Story Saret, Chairman of the Kite Museum, said that according to the book Khmer Kites by Professors Sum Sarak and Jiang Yaren, through archaeological excavations in 1999 at the Prehistoric Site of Angburi, Takeo Province, the former capital of the Phonon period, many artifacts such as bowls, bowls, pots, and jewelry have been found, which can be concluded that the Khmer had a thriving culture as a society around 400 years ago. The kite flying ceremony in Khmer also took place during the year 400 BC. White.
Meanwhile, archaeologist Zok Cerdes, who has studied a lot of research on Khmer culture and history, found an inscription in 972 that attests to the royal arrangement of kite flying and various offerings such as gold, silver, bronze, phantom horns, trophies, musical instruments, spears, and five other kites.
The sad thing is that the inscription does not tell what the kite in the offering pit is used for.
According to the book Khmer Kite, Quiroga de San Antonio, a Portuguese traveler who traveled to Khmer in 1590, wrote, "The Khmer used to fly kites made of paper cotton, as well as to make a loud sound when flying in the air."
In the book Khmer Traditions and Traditions, Prof. Miech Ponon mentions that kite flying is a royal ceremony to pay homage to Lord Jolamnicheti, who prays at the Tri Treng Palace.
The royal ceremony was held from the 12th to the 15th of June.
The ceremony took place during the reign of King Sri Sriya, who was lying at the royal palace.
Mr. Saret, Chairman of the Kite Museum, said that during His Majesty the King's reign, the kite-flying celebration was also started to be repeated and celebrated every year according to Buddhist tradition.
Cambodia has experienced many generations of chronic wars, so kite flying is also less popular.
"In 1993, there were a lot of foreigners who came to study and study the traditions and culture of Khmer with a focus on raising a single kite, at that time we were thinking about collecting old professors who have knowledge and expertise in this field that he came to give presentations and some kites we collected in warehouses for occasional exhibitions."
In 1994, the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts organized the 1st Kite Festival, and since then, the lone kite has also started to take shape again and the kite flying festival has been held until now.
Not only that, Cambodia also has a Khmer Kite Museum, which was established in 2003 to house Khmer kites that are on display for the public.