Discover your Cambodian roots

Questions to ask the older generation

Memories fade faster than photos. Ask these over a meal or a phone call, and write the answers down.

1. Which town or region of Cambodia did our family come from? Was it near Siem Reap, Battambang, Kampong Thom?
2. Who was the first in the family to leave Cambodia, when, and why?
3. Which dishes from Cambodia were cooked at home? Did anyone make Fish amok or Num banhchok?
4. Does anyone in the family still speak Khmer, or use a few words of it?
5. Were there songs, prayers, games or holidays from Cambodia that the family kept?
6. Are there old photos, letters or documents from Cambodia? Who has them?
7. If you could visit Cambodia together, where would you go first?

A short history of Cambodia

Chinese records describe a trading kingdom called Funan on the lower Mekong from about the 1st century AD, followed by the kingdom of Chenla. From 802 the Khmer Empire, soon centred on Angkor, at its height controlled much of mainland Southeast Asia. After Angkor was abandoned the kingdom grew weaker between Siam and Vietnam, until France made it a protectorate. The 20th century brought independence, civil war, the Khmer Rouge regime and, after 1991, a slow return to peace.

1. AD 611

   The oldest dated Khmer inscription

   A stone inscription found at Angkor Borei, in today's Takéo Province south of Phnom Penh, is dated 611. It is the oldest dated text written in the Khmer language, from the time of the kingdom of Chenla.

2. 1113

   Suryavarman II takes the throne

   King Suryavarman II ruled from 1113 to about 1150, one of the most powerful periods of the empire. During his reign Angkor Wat was built as a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu.

3. 1296

   Zhou Daguan visits Angkor

   The Chinese envoy Zhou Daguan arrived at Angkor in August 1296 and stayed for about a year. His account of daily life, markets, festivals and the royal court is the most detailed eyewitness description of Angkor that survives.

4. 1594

   Siam captures Longvek

   Longvek, the royal capital of the 16th century and a busy trading town, was captured by Siamese forces in 1594. For the next two centuries Cambodia was often squeezed between the growing powers of Siam and Vietnam.

5. 1953

   Independence from France

   After a campaign led by the young King Norodom Sihanouk, Cambodia became fully independent on 9 November 1953, which is still celebrated as Independence Day.

6. 1979

   The Khmer Rouge regime falls

   Vietnamese forces, joined by Cambodian opponents of the regime, captured Phnom Penh on 7 January 1979 and ended Khmer Rouge rule. Fighting with Khmer Rouge forces in the border regions went on for many years.

7. 1993

   A new constitution restores the monarchy

   After the UN-organised election in May 1993, a new constitution made Cambodia a constitutional monarchy again, and Norodom Sihanouk returned to the throne in September 1993.

8. 2025

   Memorial sites join the World Heritage List

   UNESCO listed three places of Khmer Rouge repression, the Tuol Sleng and M-13 prisons and the Choeung Ek killing field, as the Cambodian Memorial Sites. They are kept as places of remembrance, learning and reflection.

Family recipes to cook together

Fish amok 1 h · serves 4Cambodian red curry 1 h · serves 4Beef lok lak 30 min · serves 4Samlor machu 35 min · serves 4

Khmer words to teach the grandchildren

Towns and regions

• Phnom Penh, Where the Mekong and Tonlé Sap rivers meet: The Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda, The riverside promenade and Wat Phnom.
• Siem Reap, Northwest, north of the Tonlé Sap: The temples of Angkor, The Old Market and Pub Street.
• Battambang, Northwest, on the Sangkae River: French colonial architecture, The bamboo train.
• Kampong Thom, Centre, on the Stung Sen River: Sambor Prei Kuk, A stop between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.
• Preah Vihear town, North, capital of Preah Vihear Province: The base for Koh Ker, The road to Preah Vihear Temple.
• Kampong Cham, East, on the Mekong: The Kizuna Bridge over the Mekong, The Cham community.
• Kratié, Northeast, on the Mekong: Irrawaddy river dolphins, Mekong sunsets.
• Sihanoukville, Southwest coast, on the Gulf of Thailand: The country's main seaport, Beaches.
• Kampot, South, near the Gulf of Thailand: Kampot pepper farms, The riverfront at sunset.
• Kep, South coast, near the border with Vietnam: The crab market, Kep National Park.