The Culture Ministry and the Cults Ministry said the use of civil-service uniforms, rank insignia and administrative emblems in some wedding rituals was affecting the traditional form of marriage ceremonies. They said the practice should be avoided because these uniforms were intended for official functions and work, rather than weddings.
The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts and the Ministry of Cults and Religion made the remarks in a June 1 appeal, following cases in which some people had used official uniforms, insignia and emblems during wedding rituals. The ministries said this altered the traditional form of Khmer marriage ceremonies and was not an ancestral custom. They explained that the traditional wedding salutation and wrist-tying ritual (សំពះផ្ទឹមចងដៃ) belonged on the wedding day, while official uniforms and insignia were not wedding attire.
The ministries said traditional ceremonies had clear arrangements and sequences, with engagement ceremonies separate from weddings. They therefore urged people to avoid official uniforms, rank insignia and administrative emblems, which were meant for official duties, in wedding rituals. They called on wedding dressers, ritual officiants, musicians, artists and all related professionals to follow the customary forms correctly and ensure traditional clothing suited each ceremony.
By: ង៉ែត ពិសាន្ត
