Traditional Cambodian Culture, marriage ceremony was always arranged without the knowledge or consent of the individual to be married. Sometimes, the individual never met each other before. By the way, the forced marriage is common. Many families arranged marriages while the betrothed individuals were still very young; friends made promise to each other that their children would marry. In this point, Khmer culture pressures parents to choose and arrange married for their son or daughter so that their family’s pride and honor are retained.

To Cambodian man, he cannot simply take a wife without going through the proper customary procedures. Traditionally, he has to go through four rituals to claim a wife, including Pithy Chechouv, Pithy Sdei Dundoeung, Pithy Si Slar Bangchoap Peak and Wedding ceremony.

Sokthy said that for Cambodian culture, it normally is a practice that a man marries a girl means that he shall comply with norms, practices and other in relation to and suitable with his wife’s family. It could be described that getting married to a girl means that getting married to a family.

Cambodia is a male-dominated society and female are expected to confirm to traditions. Cambodians often compare girls to a piece of cotton wool, whereas they compare a boy to a diamond. Why is the comparison different? It is because that cotton wool, when dropped into mud, never regains its purity regardless of how much it is washed. On the contrary, a diamond dropped into mud, can be picked up, washed and become as clean and sparkling as before it got dirty.

What Sokthy mentioned above is that marriage is not just between a man and woman but between families. Large dowries are signs of prominence and a demonstration that the groom’s family is financially capable of providing for the daughter. When a girl demands huge dowry, she ensures financial security and can repay her parents for giving her life and raising her.

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