Become A Khmer Warrior

• 7 hour Khmer warrior class
• Lunch provided
• Transportation to and from the workshop
• A translator to help facilitate language barriers

Join this class and learn how the Khmer soldiers succeeded in expanding the Khmer empire! Weaponry and martial arts are two of the most recognizable traits of a Khmer Warrior. We want to bring some of that ancient art back and thus have created The Khmer Warrior Initiation experience to get you more intimate with the warriors of ancient times. Weapons played an extremely important role in the battles waged by the Khmers.

In becoming a Khmer warrior, you will first get an opportunity to make your very own knife with Ly, our blacksmith host. Ly Cheang has over 40 years of experience in smithing various metal tools and he supplies many tools to farmer and shops in Siem Reap. He holds a fiery passion for his craft and wishes more people were interested in it these days. In traditional smithing techniques and methods that haven’t changed for centuries you will burn, mould and sharpen your knife - you now have your weapon.

Next you will learn the the Khmer martial arts, or Bokator, from a local master. Bokator, literally translates to mean ‘pounding a lion.’ The art form will teach you basic forms and practical attacks and defense maneuvers practiced and used in the battlefields of ancient times. A deadly fighting tool, it is believed that Bokator was a soldier’s art of the angkorian armies, crafted to be used in the battlefield. You might be lucky to stumble upon Bokator depictions on the walls of the Angkor Wat temples. Following which you will use these base movements to learn a variety of attack maneuvers using your knee, elbow, hands and shin. You then proceed to learn defense positions where you learn how to swiftly defend yourself from common hand and leg attacks.

Then, you’ll have the opportunity to experience a delicious grilled lunch! You will learn to prepare grilled fish and pork ribs, Khmer style, from Kosal Khek who left his family at the age of 21 to hone his cooking skills. He took an interest after learning skills from his father who was a cook during the war in Cambodia. After this meal fit for a warrior, you’ll come to the final class of the day -- making crossbows. An effective weapon of choice, the crossbow is still used today, but instead of being used on the battlefield, it is used by hunters.

Itinerary

9:00 am Pick up from the hotel and head to the knife making workshop

10:30 am Head to the local gym of our Bokator instructor

11:30 am Head off to grilling and lunch venue

2:00 pm Start the crossbow making

Please note: Participants should wear comfortable clothing and bring an extra shirt if you need to change.

Meeting Point

Exact meeting details will be sent to your email upon completion of payment.

Departs

Daily, including weekends

Time

9AM-10AM