Krama: How many ways do I love thee

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight

For the ends of being and ideal grace.

I love thee to the level of every day's

Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning - 1806-1861

If you’re Khmer, or if you’ve spent some time in Cambodia, you would be familiar with the historical versatility of the beloved Khmer heritage scarf: Krama. It’s a necktie, a belt/cutlass holster, a harvest basket for fruit and vegetables, a mobile tent-shade on a sunny day, a light cover-throw on a cool evening, a bath-towel. ..(this list is far from exhaustive, by the way!)

Khmer Krama is still strongly holding its own, in modern times. Its ageless value as a national treasure trove is strongly promoted through Internships at Fourth Culture Cambodia, encouraging the next generation to innovate upon roots of culture.