Textiles
There are three important silk textiles in Cambodia: the ikat silks (chong kiet in Khmer), or hol, the twill-patterned silks and the weft ikat textiles. Patterns are made by tying natural and synthetic fibers on the weft threads and then dyeing them. This process is repeated with different colors until the patterns firm and cloth is woven. Red, yellow, green, blue and black are the most commonly used colors. The Sampot Hol is used as a lower garment and as the sampot chang kben. The Pidan Hol is used as a ceremonial hanging for religious purposes.
Sot silk weaving has been an important part of Cambodia's cultural past. It is documented that people from Takéo Province have woven silk since the Funan era; records, bas-relief and Zhou Daguan's report have shown that looms were used to weave sampots since ancient times. Since ancient times, women have learned highly complex methods and intricate patterns, one of which is the hol method. It involves dyeing patterns on silk before weaving. What remains unique to Cambodian weavers is the uneven twill technique. Although the reason remains unclear why they adopted such an unusual method, the ancient bas-reliefs provide a detailed look at fabrics' patterns and pleats. Silk-woven pieces are used as heirlooms, in weddings and funerals, and as decoration in temples.
Read more about this topic: Cambodian Clothing