Reamker

Cambodian epic

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July 16, 2026

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The Reamker is Cambodia's version of the Indian epic Ramayana. It tells the story of Rama, an avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu, and his quest to rescue his wife Sita from the demon king Ravana. The epic is a significant part of Cambodian culture, influencing traditional arts like dance-drama and shadow plays.1

The story follows Rama's exile, Sita's abduction by Ravana, and Rama's subsequent battle to defeat the demon king and rescue Sita. Key characters include Rama, Sita, the devoted monkey general Hanuman, and the antagonist Ravana. The Reamker explores themes of good versus evil, duty, and virtue, and is celebrated through various festivals and performances in Cambodia.23

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Khmer literature
Classical literature
The best-known epic is the Reamker (“Honour of Rama”; Eng. trans. Reamker), the Cambodian version of the Ramayana, one of the great epic poems of India. Surviving texts of the Reamker date from the 16th or 17th century, but bas-reliefs at Angkor Wat show that the Rama (Cambodian Ream) story…
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The best-known epic is the Reamker (“Honour of Rama”; Eng. trans. Reamker), the Cambodian version of the Ramayana, one of the great epic poems of India. Surviving texts of the Reamker date from the 16th or 17th century, but bas-reliefs at Angkor Wat show that the Rama (Cambodian Ream) story…
Read More