The construction of Khmer houses includes: kantang house, pet house, factory house, kong house, an ancient house structure that remains a legacy to this day. Among them, Kantang seems to have a Chinese accent. Why do Cambodians call this type of house Kantang house?
The history of calling the Khmer house “Kantang House” is due to the fact that the word “Kantang” is associated with Chinese immigrants from Guangdong (Fran ស្វois Tuan Tierier, 2006). They settled in Vietnam for a while, then brought the house model to Cambodia, with only a few modifications to suit the local climate (Huy Pan, 1973, p. 62). The Khmer people also call these villages Kantang village, a village built by the Chinese Cantonese, and the Chinese people’s house has been called the Cantonese house ever since. Belonging to people of Chinese descent (called Chinese descent) whose ancestors were immigrants who came to live in Cambodia during the 18th and 19th centuries.
However, according to experts, this house has a long history in Cambodia because there are examples of this house found on various sculptures, such as the Bayon temple gallery. That is why it is claimed that kantang houses are the oldest in Cambodia. Kantang houses are mostly found in the houses of the rich people along the main river or along the Mekong River, along the rivers and streams, such as Saang district, Koh Thom district of Kandal province. Srey Santhor District, Koh Sotin District and Kang Meas District of Kampong Cham Province. Baray and Stong districts of Kampong Thom province and parts of Siem Reap and Kratie provinces.
The simplest house has a roof made up of two panels facing each other at the top of the roof. Or the pillars have at least three rows, the middle row is always the highest, called the main pillar, or the pillar of the chest, some are called the pillars of space. The legs are usually on either side. The door of the house is always between the pillars. Kandang house, compared to the type of house, factory, house or house is easier to build. The house is simple from the outside, but inside they have different arrangements to suit their preferences. Which can be used for luggage. This cantilever house can be made into other types, they have a roof on the front and back, a little steamy enough to look like “cantilever house”.
This house can have from one to five houses. It looks like a sack that encloses with a drawstring, but it’s not. It is called Honang. On the other hand, kantang houses may have “wings” coming out of the lower part of the hoof, commonly called “kantang wings”, but some locals call them “Bak Nok” which means “bird wings” or “Pen Nok”. The wings have been shown solely to give a sense of proportion. Or the height is high and low, built according to the soil conditions, if built directly on the ground is called a house. The structure of the house is simpler than other types of houses and easy to build with ordinary wood or moderate materials can be done, so the researchers confirm that the house is the richest in Cambodia, especially today. The wood is getting scarcer.
It should also be noted that during the reign of King Sisowath (1904-1927) in Sre Chamkar district, there were only Chinese and Vietnamese people who used to build huts as market houses or houses for selling other goods. By the reign of King Sisowath Monivong (1927-1941) and the reign of King Norodom Sihanouk (1941-1955), the Khmer people built many types of houses, some built on the ground, some built many houses, two houses, three houses and five houses. Others are built on two floors. Chinese canteen houses often have a loft for children to stay in or use as storage space. Therefore, only later did the flats in the city, which were houses for sale, have a mezzanine in the style of a canteen. The interior of the antique house is decorated with ornaments, flowers and birds, sometimes painted in gold on the main doorway of the living room.
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