The MGC Museum of Asian Traditional Textiles is set to exhibit eleven Cambodian silk products, including four silk towels, five silk sampots, and two silk ceilings donated by the Khmer Traditional Textile Institute, in mid-February 2023, the APSARA National Authority pointed out in a news release this morning.
The display of these valuables is to preserve the art of Khmer silk ceiling weaving, while the use of silk ceilings in modern Cambodian society is declining alarmingly, and to show the public, students, and national and international tourists about the heritage and works left behind by our Cambodian ancestors, the authority added.
Acting Deputy Director of the MGC Asian Traditional Textiles Museum, Mr. Sen Kimsun, said that these collections have a long history with Cambodian ancestors, but in large part, they were destroyed by the Pol Pot regime and are now less popular, like the silk weaving for example.
Experts on tradition and culture explained that the silk ceiling is unique because it has sacred arts associated with religious beliefs. In the past, locals were not allowed to wear or dress like this, even though they were newly made. The arts used on some of the silk ceilings are also not allowed to be woven for casual wear.
Mr. Sen Kimsun stated that the production of each silk ceiling takes long time, and requires a lot of manpower, and skillful technique as well as raw materials made from natural silk fibers and natural dyes made from plants according to traditional techniques. Chemical substances are not used in this product.
The MGC Asian Traditional Textiles Museum is located in Boeung Don Pa village, along Samdech Vibol Panha Sok An Street (St. 60m), Sangkat Slor Kram, Siem Reap city. The museum has been operating since April 2014 under the auspices of countries along the Mekong river such as Cambodia, India, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam, to preserve the traditional textile products that are also a symbol of the relationship between civilisations, cultures, and trade of member countries that have existed for centuries.
Source: Agency Kampuchea Press