The Pear community in Cambodia, also known as the Samre, is an ethnic group that lives mainly in western Cambodia. It is part of a group of indigenous communities that includes other groups such as the Chong, Samray, Suoy and Sa'och.
The Pear people live mainly in Pursat province, more specifically in the districts of Phnum Kravanh and Veal Veng, with smaller populations in the provinces of Preah Vihear and Battambang.
Way of life
Originally nomadic, the Pearic people have reconverted to living near water sources, mainly to grow cardamom. Historically, the Pearic people were nomadic and lived by hunting and gathering. They used crossbows and traps to hunt and ate tubers, fruit and game.
The Pear people speak languages other than Khmer and Thai. Their cultural practices differ significantly from the dominant cultures of the region. The Pear people began growing cardamom and upland rice using the intercropping method.
Animism and spirit worship
The Pear people are essentially animists and worship powerful spirits known as Neak Ta or Arak. They believe that these spirits can harm them and demand sacrifices to appease them.
They also practise traditional medicine, which combines spiritualism with the use of medicinal plants gathered in the forest.
The Pear are very superstitious and live in fear of the spirits. For example, those who live near the forest have specific rules about how to behave when collecting cardamom.
Ascension ceremony
The Ascension ceremony is one of the Pearls' main traditions. The ceremony generally begins at 8am and ends at 4pm on the same day, with the aim of preserving traditions, wishing happiness to the children and grandchildren living in the village, asking for rain so that the rice fields, farms and gardens can have a good harvest, and preventing epidemics.
Current initiatives and challenges
Despite facing significant challenges, including poverty and lack of access to education and healthcare, the Pear community maintains strong social ties.
PEARL project: Although not directly linked to the Pear community, Cambodia is implementing the PEARL project, which aims to strengthen the climate resilience of farming communities in the northern Tonle Sap basin. This project does not specifically target the Pear people, but is part of wider efforts to improve agricultural practices and climate resilience in Cambodia.
The Pear community faces the challenges of preserving its culture and adapting to modern farming practices while maintaining its traditional way of life.
Photos : Chan Narith - Documentation Center of Cambodia Archieves
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