Traditional Kor Chuk Ceremony Still Lives on in Angkor Community

SIEM REAP, Mar. 16, 2026 (KPT) – Preserving ancestral traditions remains a solemn duty for Angkor residents despite the pressures of modern life.

On Thursday, March 12, a family in Krasang Roluang Village, Siem Reap Province, west of Wat Athvea, organized a full-scale Kor Chuk ceremony in the traditional style, drawing wide attention from the local community.

Five boys took part in the ritual under the guidance of Grandma Pov Tho, a respected elder. She recalled undergoing the ceremony herself at age 11.

 “Even though I know it costs a lot of money and that children who keep the chuk may sometimes be teased or misunderstood by friends who do not understand its cultural value, I still continue the tradition because I do not want it to disappear in my generation,” she said.

The ceremony followed ancient rules. Senior priest Mak Saram, 77, explained that the chuk-cutting ritual lasts two days and one night and is usually held during the full moon, considered an auspicious time.

Archaeologist Toch Sopheak of the APSARA National Authority described the Kor Chuk as more than a haircut, calling it a rite of passage marking the transition from childhood to adulthood. He noted that the tradition is also practiced in northern and western provinces such as Oddar Meanchey and Banteay Meanchey.

Families with limited means often send their children to join ceremonies organized by others, or take them to Angkor Wat’s Bakan level—symbolizing Mount Kailash—for the ritual under the witness of monks.

Though rare today, the Kor Chuk ceremony endures in some communities. The voluntary preservation of children’s hair and the dedication of elders in Krasang Roluang Village are seen as encouraging signs that the spirit of ancestral culture continues to thrive among Angkor residents.