An exhibition in Phnom Penh sheds light on the fragile heritage of the Chams, a thousand-year-old people in danger

In the intimate atmosphere of the Meta House in Phnom Penh, an exhibition draws attention to the endangered culture of the Chams, an ancient people with deep roots in the history of Southeast Asia.

Through evocative photographs, rare traditional objects and poignant stories, this event offers an immersive plunge into the heart of a cultural identity in a fragile balance between memory and modernity.

Several centuries ago, the Chams built the flourishing kingdom of Champa, which once stretched along the central coasts of present-day Vietnam. This kingdom shone through its cultural and commercial exchanges and its refined art, mixing Hindu and Islamic influences, bearing witness to a rich mosaic of beliefs and traditions. Despite these eminent historical roots, the Cham community is scattered today, particularly in Cambodia and Vietnam, where it represents a minority facing the risk of extinction.

The Cham language, religious rituals - which combine Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim elements - and craft skills are all part of a living but vulnerable heritage. Increasing assimilation, social and economic change and globalisation are putting these cultural riches at risk, threatening the intergenerational transmission.

The exhibition at Meta House not only celebrates this cultural diversity, it also sounds a valuable warning about the urgent need to preserve this collective memory, inviting the public to recognise and embrace these marginalised heritages. Through this spotlight, the event opens up a space for dialogue and reflection on the harmonious coexistence between the old and the new, between tradition and renewal.

In Phnom Penh, the exhibition resonates as an act of cultural rehabilitation, reminding us that the richness of a nation is also measured by the diversity of its historical roots and the care taken to safeguard them.