Kun Lbokator, Cambodia’s traditional martial art, has just been inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of UNESCO.

The decision was made tonight (Cambodia time) during the 17th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Rabat, Morocco.

Mrs Phoeurng Sackona, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts, represented Cambodia at the session. Speaking on the occasion, she thanked the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage for the inscription and dedicated this achievement to all the Cambodian people, especially the Kun Lbokator masters.

Kun Lbokator is a martial art dating back to the first century. It aims to develop the mental and physical strength and discipline of its practitioners through self-defence techniques and a philosophy of non-violence. The training of Kun Lbokator is not only about physical techniques and skills, but also about mental disciplines on how to respect nature and behave with decorum in society.

Cambodia has so far registered Angkor Archaeological Site, Preah Reach Troap Dance (Royal Ballet); Lakhon Sbek Thom (big shadow puppet); the 11th-century Preah Vihear Temple; Teanh Prot (tug-of-war), a popular recreational game; Chapei Dang Veng, a Cambodian two-stringed, long-necked guitar; Sambor Prei Kuk temple complex; and Lkhon Khol Wat Svay on the World Heritage List. AKP-C.Nika