Spanning from the 9th to 15th centuries, Cambodia once stood as the most powerful empire in Southeast Asia — known proudly by its people as the Khmer Empire. At its heart rose Angkor Wat, the largest religious stone temple ever built, designed in harmony with the Draco star constellation and home to nearly one million people at its peak. The walls of Angkor tell a story of greatness: intricate bas-reliefs depicting warriors in battle, sacred Hindu epics, royal ceremonies, and scenes of everyday Khmer life — a testament to a civilisation deeply connected to both spirit and strength.

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But empires fall, and over time their legacies are absorbed into new nations and new cultures. Centuries later, during the Khmer Rouge regime of the 1970s, Cambodia endured one of history’s darkest chapters. The regime’s systematic persecution of the educated and skilled nearly erased traditional Cambodian martial arts — silencing centuries of warrior wisdom and cultural pride.

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Today, that spirit rises again.

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At The Wat, we honour the resilience of our ancestors by reviving the lost art of Kun Khmer — the original Cambodian martial art. Through authentic training and community connection, we invite you to become part of this living heritage.

 

Join the resurgence.