Khuy Chansou, daughter of a traditional weaver in Takeo province, has dedicated the past four years to promoting the Cambodian weaving community through her business, SouKabas Cambodia. 

The name of the company reflects the business’s mission: a combination of “Sou”, meaning “perseverance” in Khmer, and “Kabas”, or “Cotton Forest”, the district of Prey Kabas where her operation is located.

Her aim is to support local raw materials, provide employment opportunities for artisans and preserve the tradition of making traditional textiles.

However, the popularity of Cambodian silk faces significant challenges. Hand-woven products are expensive and struggle to compete with mass-produced imports from neighbouring countries. 

This has led many Cambodian silk weavers to abandon their craft, with some even migrating for work.

“I have noticed that day by day, the number of weavers is gradually declining, and the quality is not as good as before,” Chansou told The Post. 

“As the daughter of a weaver who has graduated with a bachelor’s degree, I felt compelled to find a way to help the people of my village,” she added.

A vibrant tapestry of silk scarves from SouKabas. Supplied

Chansou founded SouKabas in 2021, rebranding from Key Dambanh Cambodia, a business she started in 2017. 

She has since dedicated herself to the business full-time, leaving other employment behind to leverage her university education and ensure its smooth running.

 “I’m working hard to learn and develop a marketing strategy to revive the silk weaving market,” she said.

“I’m trying to mobilise my villagers to start weaving silk again to provide them with employment opportunities and prevent further migration,” added the 33-year-old.

Today, the SouKabas workshop employs 12 weavers who are kept busy filling orders and meeting market demand.

Adhering to the philosophy of “creating new ideas, preserving ancestral heritage ancient yet not outdated, modern yet not foreign,” SouKabas offers a range of products, from traditional to contemporary.

In addition to the traditional Pham Muong silk, which adheres to ancient designs, SouKabas produces fashionable eco-friendly silk bags, traditional silk for daily use and special pieces for use in religious ceremonies.

The artistry of silk weaving in action. Supplied

“We weaving silk strand by strand, sometimes for months, until it becomes this rare storyboard,” Chansou explained.

“The scarves we weave every day come in two types: plain and patterned. In addition to silk scarves, I also produce scarves made of yarn and cloth, as well as Pha Hum (silk blankets). We also make Khmer kramas which are sewn as hair accessories for young people, which are popular,” she added.

The price of the hand-woven Pham Muong silk is discounted to only $190 per 1.7 metres, while hand-woven pure silk Hol bags and leather bags are priced at $95. She also sells the Pka Romduol silk scarf, the symbol of Cambodia.

Each small silk scarf is 0.5 metres wide and 1.8 metres long. They are priced at $35, while larger, wider scarves are $45. Her business has received orders from connoisseurs from within the Kingdom, as well as those living overseas.

Regarding the care of silk products, she advised against washing them in normal water as the silk thread can be damaged and become brittle.

Her high prices reflect the intricate nature of the traditional production process.

Chansou claimed that Khmer silk is unique and distinct from those of neighbouring countries. 

Where elegance meets tradition: The exquisite beauty of SouKabas silk scarves. Supplied

The production starts from raising silkworms directly, spinning them into yarn, and then weaving them into silk. From one stage to another, it requires concentration, experience, knowledge and precise skills.

However, she remains concerned about the impact of cheap, imported products on the price of Khmer silk, taking to social media to appeal for the public to support the women she employs.

“As a weaving artisan from Prey Kabas district, I have a love for preserving and developing the original heritage of my ancestors. I do not agree with cheap copies of Khmer silk. This misrepresents the original heritage, leading to confusion among future generations,” she wrote.

“It deeply hurts to see people copying Khmer silk and selling it freely. It significantly impacts the market for Khmer hand-woven silk. The livelihood of the weavers is at stake. They weave with all their heart. Seeing their creations copied and sold cheaply across the market is disheartening,” she added.

She has called for the relevant authorities to help increase the price of local silk and to restrict the sale of imitation products. She has also taken an active role in exhibitions of local products.

Chansou is determined to preserve Cambodian weaving and elevate its prominence. She plans to achieve this by compiling a book on Cambodian weaving which will chronicle its history from ancient times to the present.