Reoung Sarem (centre), surrounded by several of the young men he has passed his tatooing knowledge down to. - SUPPLIED
PHNOM PENH (The Phnom Penh/Asia News Network): Tattoos have become commonplace in Cambodia, especially among the younger generations. The sight of tattooed young men and women may still shock some conservative members of society, but it is important to note that today’s tattooing craze was preceded by a far more ancient version of the practice in Cambodia that still persists today.
In contrast to modern tattooing studios that prioritise aesthetics and beauty on the body, ancient Khmer Sak Yant tattooing places greater emphasis on a system of rules for its style that relies on traditions, a moral code and magic.
73-year-old Roeung Sarem is a Khmer Sak Yant tattooing teacher who learned the skill from his parents and his grandfather.
“When we apply a tattoo, we begin to ink the words and start reciting in Pali until the tattoo is complete, despite any interruptions that may occur, we must continue reciting,” Sarem told The Post.
Sarem, who has been learning the art of Sak Yant tattooing since he was a child, described the rules of tattooing.
“Receiving a traditional tattoo is believed to bring peace and happiness, which is enough in itself. However, for those seeking even more potent magical powers, additional ritual reciting may be required,” he said.
While tattooing, Sarem must recite the ritual words in Pali from beginning to end no matter how long the tattoo takes to finish. Different Pali recitations are used depending on whether he uses his hands or a machine to do the work.
Sarem is based in Banan district of Battambang province. He has recently had to stop tattooing due to a health condition, but he noted that he has been training apprentices in this art since the end of civil war and has trained hundreds of other tattoo artists in Sak Yant, though he modestly claims that his own abilities are limited compared to the skills of others.
Nearly a decade ago, the Federation of Khmer Sakyantra was established by Cambodia’s traditional tattoo artists to maintain the art form’s traditions and train new artists in the ways of Sak Yant.
Sim Sotun, 29, a member of the technical committee of the federation, began learning Sak Yant tattooing in 2014. He said the Federation of Khmer Sakyantra was established on July 9, 2014, with four main objectives: To document all of the various Sak Yant-style tattoos and to preserve this part of Cambodia’s cultural heritage by training new artists.
The Federation of Khmer Sakyantra is led by Say Tevin, 35, who learned Sak Yant tattooing from his father beginning in 2001.
Currently, the federation has three notable Sak Yant tattoos artists among its ranks: Ouk Roeun, Prum Tuy and Roeung Sarem.
“We aim to re-assemble traditional Khmer Sak Yant tattooing styles, compile all of the rules and impart them to interested individuals to ensure the future creation of Sak Yant tattoos and magic talismans, and to educate future generations.
