Cambodian National Museum






Whenever I visit a country that's new to me, I always try to go to its national museum as soon as I can because:

a. visiting the national museum is the equivalent of reading a book about that country's history, another about its religion, a third about its archeology, and another about its art, artifacts, and culture--all in the space of a two-hour visit.  It's an incredible "speed-education" of where you are.

b. you learn about what a nation finds most valuable, significant, precious, and dear (officially).  and you learn too from what is excluded. 

c. it's a great point of comparison to your own nation and/or to the nation where you currently find yourself living.

The Cambodian National Museum didn't disappoint and I certainly learned quite a bit. Definitely the strong emphasis was on its stone and bronze work, particularly that related to Buddhism.  Unlike Indonesia, which houses more than 300 distinct ethnic groups and features a great diversity of items which celebrates its cultural variety, the Cambodian National Museum places a disproportionate amount of its focus on the Khmer dynasty, which was the great power in Indochina from about the 10th to the 13th Centuries.  This was really the zenith of "Cambodian" power and this era is a dominant force in the nation's consciousness and an extreme source of pride, even today.

Perhaps, when you travel your emphasis is on comfort and hedonism--I know that I strive to provide myself nice meals, delightful lodging, and relaxing experiences. But for me, I also like to get a better sense of where I am, that's why a wonderful travel hack is to simply devote two hours of your time to the National Museum and you will benefit deeply and also gather invaluable knowledge of your destination that will enrich the remainder of your journey.




The Museum, built in 1921, emulates traditional Khmer architecture and is a gem. France controlled Cambodia as a colony well into the 20th Century and it is interesting to note that this traditional design was created by a Frenchman, as it wasn't until after independence that Cambodians were entrusted to have authority over their own culture.  




The Museum inner courtyard is a delightful traditional garden.




Even the topiary represents important symbols of Cambodia. 





The Museum makes note of the significance the Cambodian Royal Family has played in the nation's identity.  This is the giant urn that was used to house the ashes of Cambodia's kings of the 20th Century during their funerals.




This massive statue is from the 10th Century during the height of Khmer power and artistic achievement and demonstrates the powerful influence of Hinduism throughout Cambodia's history.  It depicts the battle between Valin and Sugriva as described in the Hindu epic, the Ramayana.  This statue shows Sugriva defeating his brother Vali(n) to become ruler of the world of the monkeys. 




I think this was my favorite room.  It displays a wildly diverse display of Buddhas from the post-Khmer period.  These representations of the Buddha are from the 17th Century onward and include ones from the 20th Century too.  The image of Buddha is as varied as the human imagination.

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