A Khmer silk weaving loom is being exhibited to the public by the MGC Asian Traditional Textiles Museum in Siem Reap town.
According to the APSARA National Authority (ANA), the exhibition of weaving and silk weaving tools began in mid-February.
Sen Kimsun, acting director of the museum, said this exhibition is the result of cooperation between the ANA and UNESCO through Germany’s international development agency GIZ.
He said the silk weaving tool display also included silk fabrics and that the tools bear elaborate carvings.
“The presence of Khmer weaving tools in the MGC Asian Traditional Textiles Museum is an important contribution to the preservation of traditional Khmer weaving equipment throughout the country because the weaving industry has evidence going all the way back to prehistoric people living in the Kingdom of Cambodia,” he said.
The acting director stated that this traditional weaving tool would be of interest to the public and to tourists to study and understand the heritage of the Khmer nation that has existed for a long time.
Kimsun added that the weaving exhibition was not only for visitors to see the weaving tools, but the museum experts also would be on hand to explain each stage of the weaving process and show visitors how it works and even allow them to try weaving themselves to find out more about how to weave in the traditional Khmer way.
According to ANA, the museum features more fabrics and textiles than any other museum in Cambodia, exhibiting textiles from countries such as India, Laos and Myanmar, and the tools are technically unique according to the conditions and context of different environments.
Kimsun added that in the future the museum, which is now located in Boeung Don Pa village along Samdech Vibol Panha Sok An Street in Siem Reap town’s Slakram commune, also intends to bring some weaving tools from the northeastern region of Cambodia to display to the public.
The 11 items in the Khmer silk weaving display that just began its exhibition include four silk towels and seven skirts, which are made according to the traditional rules and they will be permanently displayed at the museum from February onwards.
