Daily Life :: Traditional Clothes

The sampot (pronounced sahm-pots) or Cambodian sarong - a loose-fitting wraparound lower garment - is the national dress of Cambodia. The traditional fabric used is silk and/or cotton combination. There are many variations of the sampot for different social strata of people.

A krama (pronounced krah-mah) is a checked cotton scarf-like head-wrapping almost universally worn by rural Cambodians - both men and women. It is like a turban ... a sign of Cambodia's ancient ties with India. Kramas have a multitude of uses - protection from the sun, dust and wind. It can also be used as a towel or as a carrier for children.