Soueng Lyly, 22, student at Royal University of Agriculture

“My favourite Khmer game to play is Jol Choung. Jol Choung isn’t only fun, but it improves my attention. The game requires two groups – one group throws the choung – which is any sort of soft ball wrapped up in traditional fabric, krama – and the other group has to catch it. If the second group fails to catch the choung, then they’re asked to sing or dance to a traditional Khmer song.”

Sao Layhour, 19, student at University of Cambodia

“All traditional Khmer games are great, but my favourite is definitely Bos Oung Koung. This game needs two groups. The oung kun can be played by either three or five – each group takes these small chips and tries to match the formation laid out on the ground. If one group hits the middle oung kun first, then they lose. The most fun part is that if the group loses, the other group gets to punish them by running up and banging on their knees!”

Saeun Sok Mey, 19, student at International University

“Dong Dem Slek Cher is probably the simplest traditional Khmer game – but for me, it’s also the most fun because there are no different rules for boys and girls. It takes two groups for this game. When a group hears a certain number called, they have to quickly grab the slek cher – a bunch of leaves – before the other group, and run as fast as possible back to their places.”

San Bunny, 24, student at Royal University of Agriculture

“My friends and I love Jab Kun Klang the most out of all the traditional games. In this game, players form a line – and one person stands in front, facing the line of players. The person standing in front of the line has to block the person facing the line from getting to the player in the back of the line. If you don’t run quickly, you’ll lose quickly! Working and playing together like that is really good fun.”

Phat Ravy, 22, student at Royal University of Law and Economics

“Over Khmer New Year, my favourite game to play is Leak Kon Seng. In this game, we sit in a circle together – one person carries a kon seng, which is like a choung, and drops it behind someone without him knowing. Once that’s dropped, another person can hit the person with the kong seng dropped behind his back until he can find another place to sit in the circle! The game is really loads of fun on a fun day over the New Year.”