Khmer Ox-Cart – An Ancient Vehicle

April 19, 2021

Since ancient times until now, transportation has always played an important role in human life. Since people must travel from place to place, transportation has become one of the most important factors in the development of each nation. More recently has seen a rapid rise in technological advancements. However, it can be fascinating to see the ways of our ancestors. Since the reign of King Jayavarman VII, Cambodians have relied mainly on ox carts for transportation. Many temples in Siem Reap province have stone carvings of ox carts on their walls. We can deduce from this that ox carts have been in use since the Angkor era.

Cambodian-ox-cart

During battles, the army used ox carts to carry arms and battlements. Our ancestors in the Kingdom used ox carts to move goods and food from village to village. A typical Oxcart is 4 meters long and 1.73 meters wide, with 16-spoked wooden wheels that are 1.24 meters in diameter. As a result, the Oxcart is suitable for use on muddy roads and country lanes. The two-wheeled wooden cart allows farmers to earn a living by transporting rice seeds to distant fields during the rainy season. Farmers load their harvested rice into an ox cart and transport it from the fields to their homes as harvest season begins.

Nowadays, ox carts have been increasingly replaced by modern mechanical tractors. In only a few regions of the country’s rural areas and for tourism are ox carts still seen. While in Siem Reap, visitors can ride an ox cart in the countryside to experience this century-old traditional mode of transportation. Passed down through generations, the ox cart has benefited locals and has served as a reminder of Khmer culture. If you visit Cambodia, you should try this environmentally friendly mode of transportation.