How would you act toward people to show your friendliness? How would you making an assumption of the act of friendliness? As the matter of fact, everyone has their own type of assumptions through this topic. Some people might think smile shows friendly and some might not. Focusing on the Indigenous community of Cambodia, there’s one of the indigenous group that have a belief through the stairs of the house, it lead to the story of Stieng community.
There are more than 20 indigenous groups that located in different region of Cambodia and Stieng community is located at Snoul district, Kratie province(eastern). It is small community with peace. Most of their daily life has a similarity with Cambodian.
Interestingly, most of the house at the Stieng community are all have stairs which they have a belief on it, specifically what should and should not we do to that.
Did you know that Stieng people welcomed people by giving the visitor a cup of wine? As we’re the visitors, we should show respect through drinking or at least taking a sip of the wine which showing our acceptance. P’nong (one of the Cambodian Indigenous Group) people do so.
However, if Stieng people invited the guests to their house, it might be rude to swing the feet by their houses stairs. Those who swang their legs might cursed as well. We can’t really say it is wrong to not have people swing their legs by the stairs of your house. It is an interesting facts for people should know while visiting the community.
Respecting people is very important because it might define who we are. We should respect everyone even though we don’t respect their opinion because it is a the point of view that can’t be proven whether it’s right or wrong.
Written by Dyna Chhem