RABAT: Bokator, an ancient Cambodian martial art, has been officially inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This inscription was made during the 17th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Rabat, Morocco, on Tuesday, 29 November.

Bokator is a martial art that dates back to the first century. It aims to develop the mental and physical strength and discipline of its practitioners through self-defense techniques and nonviolent philosophy. Bokator training is not only about technique and physical skills, but also about mental discipline, how to respect nature, and exhibit ethical behavior in society.

Cambodia already has eight entries inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list, including the Angkor Archeological Site, the Royal Ballet, Sbek Thom or ‘Big Skin’ shadow theater, the Temple of Preah Vihear, the Chapei Dang Veng, traditional Cambodian tug-of-war, the Sambor Prei Kuk temple, and the Khmer masked theater of Svay Andet pagoda.

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