Sbek Thom - The Soul of Khmer Shadow Theatre

Sbek Thom, a centuries-old Cambodian art form, is a sacred tradition deeply rooted in Khmer culture and spirituality. Despite many other Cambodian traditional arts fading over time, Sbek Thom has survived through centuries of history. Recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2005, this shadow puppet theater brings the Reamker, Cambodia’s unique version of the Hindu Ramayana, to life.

If you're fascinated by this shadow puppet performing arts or eager to explore this part of Cambodian culture, we believe this guide to Sbek Thom is for you.

Written by Preetika Narula (Local Expert)Updated on 04-04-2025

Comments

Table of contents

What is Sbek Thom?
The Story Behind Sbek Thom’s Puppets
The Performance: How It Unfolds
Where Can I See Sbek Thom?
The Sisters of Sbek Thom: Sbek Touch and Sbek Por
FAQs

What is Sbek Thom?

Sbek Thom, which translates to "large leather" in Khmer, is a type of shadow theatre in which scenes from the Reamker are performed using elaborately carved cowhide puppets, some of which are as big as two square meters and weigh up to eight kilograms.

In contrast to secular performances, Sbek Thom is typically used in religious ceremonies such as royal funerals, temple consecrations, or ceremonies to call for rain during dry spells. A pin peat orchestra and narrators weave the story while the puppets, positioned behind a white screen lit by firelight, create striking shadows.

Its sole focus on the Reamker, a tale interwoven with Buddhism and Brahmanism that reflects the Khmer belief in virtue and perseverance overcoming evil, is what gives it its sanctity.

Though once reserved for important religious events, it is now also seen at tourist attractions and national celebrations.

A Brief History of Sbek Thom

Sbek Thom has ancient roots that likely go back before the Angkor period. Early carvings and poetry from that time suggest puppetry was already part of the culture. A stone inscription even mentions dolls used in a ceremony for the goddess Sarasvati, hinting at early forms of the art.

sbek thom back in old days — *Sbek Thom back in old days.*

The Indian epic Ramayana arrived in Cambodia around the 3rd century and was later adapted into the Reamker, which became a key part of Sbek Thom stories.

The art thrived for centuries, especially in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, but nearly disappeared during the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s. Since the 1990s, efforts by the Cambodian government and UNESCO have helped revive it.

The Story Behind Sbek Thom’s Puppets

For divine figures like Shiva (Esoor), Vishnu (Naray), and Preah Muni Eysi (Esey), artisans historically used hides from naturally deceased cows, panthers, or bears, reflecting their spiritual significance. The process involves soaking cowhide in ash, cleaning it, and treating it with a bitter tree-bark solution (doeum sbeng) for durability and color - typically red, yellow, or dark brown. The hide is then shaved, dried, carved with intricate designs, and fitted with bamboo handles.

old artist sbek thom — *A shadow puppetry artisan in Battambang during the 1960s.*

This craft, passed down through generations, mirrors other Khmer traditions like weaving houl textiles and red straw mats. Artists must wear white while creating these figures and complete the task in one day. As part of the process, they honor their teachers, who have passed down the knowledge of Sbek Thom by offering gifts such as rice, vegetables, meat, fish, and a boiled pig's head.

Sacred puppets are stored in east-facing sheds, never in homes, to protect their spiritual power. They are often kept near Wats with spirit houses and incense offerings to honor teachers like Preah Muni Eysi. Smaller replicas are available as souvenirs in Cambodia. As the cultural centers of Sbek Thom today, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap preserve and present the rich legacy of this age-old art form.

Good to know: These puppets are readily available at local markets like Russian Market (Toul Tom Poung Market), Angkor Night Market, and Central Market. For more information, see the article Cambodia Souvenirs.

sbek thom souvenirs — *You can purchase one as a souvenir to take home.*

The Performance: How It Unfolds

It takes years of training to become proficient in Sbek Thom. While musicians commit 20 to 24 melodies to memory, synchronising with the narrators' cues, puppet handlers learn character-specific gestures-graceful for gods, agile for monkeys. The leaders of the troupe, known as narrators, edit and perform the Reamker from manuscripts or memory while improvising dialogue.

1. Opening Ritual:

Every performance begins with hom pithi (or sampeah kru), a ceremonial invocation.
Offers reverence to gods, ancestral teachers, and supernatural masters with offerings like pig heads, banana-trunk altars (baysei), bananas, betel leaves, flowers, incense, and sacred water.
Key leather panels, including the Ascetic (Preah Muni Eysi), Preah Ishor, Preah Naray, Preah Ream, and the demon King Reap, are placed on stage.

2. The Stage:

The stage features a white screen, 2–3 meters wide and 8–9 meters long, hung 1 meter above the ground.
Behind the screen, a walled enclosure of mats holds leather panels arranged in performance order, allowing panel handlers to align themselves in the correct story sequence before approaching the stage.
A raised altar of fire, about 1 meter above the ground, is positioned in the middle of the room, serving as the light source to cast puppet shadows onto the screen.
Sbek Thom is performed at night in open areas like wat courtyards or rice fields with simple setup: two bamboo or wooden poles support a stretched white cloth screen, sometimes with a black cloth at the bottom.

3. The Ensemble:

The troupe consists of up to 20 performers: panel handlers, narrators, musicians, and a master director.
Narrators recite in kamrong keo, a poetic semi-verse form, using different voices to express emotions like anger, joy, and sadness.
Panel handlers animate the leather puppets with precision, making them appear to fly, fight, or float. In some scenes, they perform choreographed combat.
Performers must familiarize themselves with the gestures and movements of each character, adjusting for the specific act.
Handlers must know the timing for raising, lowering, moving, turning, and shaking the panels.

Good to know: The Reamker is very long, and performing it completely would take many days. That’s why only a few episodes, selected based on the ceremony's objective, are performed over a few nights.

*The troupe consists of up to 20 performers: panel handlers, narrators, musicians, and a master director.*

4. Music:

The Pin Peat Vong Thom Orchestra uses instruments like the Roneat Ek (xylophone), Kong Thom (pot-gong circles), Sampho (drums), Sralay (oboes), and Chhing (cymbals).
With ten to eleven musicians, they play 24 different melodies, each one tailored to match the mood (the intensity of a battle, the sacred feel of a divine presence,...)
The musicians also work in sync with the narrators, adjusting the melodies to suit the storytelling at just the right moment.

shadow puppetry artist — *Playing Pin Peat during the performance of Sbek Thom*

5. The Leather Panels:

The performance draws from the Reamker (Khmer Ramayana), selecting episodes based on religious or community events.
Each show uses over 150 carved leather panels, made from treated hides (historically from naturally deceased animals for divine figures). The panels are fitted with bamboo handles.

6. The Narrators:

Narrators are often the troupe leaders, reciting the Reamker from memory or manuscripts.
They sit near the musicians and remain offstage to keep the audience’s focus on the story.
They improvise dialogue, adjusting the story to fit the performance as needed.
The master ensures coordination of every narrative beat, musical cue, and choreography.

In Phnom Penh, troupes often have one or two elder men who know the story by heart for short performances. In Siem Reap, there are typically two narrators: a man and a woman.

Good to know: UNESCO has recognized not only the mesmerizing Sbek shadow show, but also the graceful Apsara Dance and the fierce tradition of Bokator martial arts as part of Cambodia’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Where Can I See Sbek Thom?

Phnom Penh:

Sovanna Phum Art Association

Address: No. 166, Street 99, Corner Street 484, Chamkamon District, Phnom Penh.
Schedule: Fridays and Saturdays at 7:00 PM.
Tickets: $10 (Adults), $5 (Children).
Contact: (+855) 12 837 056 | [email protected]

After the performance, guests will have the unique opportunity to learn more about shadow puppet theater and try it firsthand. Local souvenirs are also available for purchase in the Gift Shop. Private performances can be arranged as well.

Sovanna Phum Art Association

The Kok Thlok Artists Association

Address: National Library of Cambodia, Street 92 corner 67, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Schedule: Friday to Sunday (18:30 - 19:30)
Contact: +855 16 885 659 | [email protected]
Website: kokthlok-cambodia.com
Tickets: $12.

The Kok Thlok Association of Artists, dedicated to preserving traditional Khmer dance and theater, relaunches performances in Phnom Penh perform weekly in an open-air theater near the National Library, showcasing Sbek Thom shadow theater and Yke musical comedy. Performances are in Khmer with French and English subtitles.

*Performances are in Khmer with French and English subtitles.*

Siem Reap

Wat Bo Temple

Address: Wat Bo Road, Siem Reap.
Opening Hours: Daily, 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM.
Tickets: Free (Donations welcome).
Note: For performance details, check with your tour operators or the temple directly.

In Siem Reap, Wat Bo is well known for its connection to Sbek Thom. Wat Bo and Sala Kansaeng village are home to a number of Sbek Thom troupes that are overseen by the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts' Department of Spectacle. Wat Bo is therefore the ideal location to visit if you want to witness a genuine and professional performance.

wat bo temple — *In Siem Reap, Wat Bo is well known for its connection to Sbek Thom.*

Bambu Stage Cambodia

Address: Bamboo Street, Wat Damnak Village
Schedule: Check events on Facebook
Tickets: From $24, free for children under six.
Contact: +855 97 726 1110 (Telegram/WhatsApp) | [email protected]

With an emphasis on the traditional Khmer art of Sbaek Thom, Bambu Stage presents nightly performances that turn shadows into experimental physical theatre through the use of fire, music, and special effects.

Bambu Stage Cambodia — *Bambu Stage presents nightly performances that turn shadows into experimental physical theatre*

Ty Chean’s Cambodian Traditional Shadow Theatre

Address: Sala Kanseng, Svay Dangkum, Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Schedule: Check events for timings.
Tickets: From $20.
Contact: +855 12 857 532.

This family-run troupe, based in Sala Kanseng village, Siem Reap, was founded by Grandfather Ty Chien and is currently led by his grandson, Mr. Chien Sophan. Using handmade panels and natural dyes, the troupe frequently performs traditional Sbek Thom at festivals and ceremonies. They focus on the seven primary Reamker episodes.

Ty Chean’s Cambodian Traditional Shadow Theatre — *This family-run troupe, based in Sala Kanseng village is currently led by his grandson, Mr. Chien Sophan*

Good to know: Sbek Thom is also traditionally performed during significant occasions like Khmer New Year, religious ceremonies, and the annual Bonn Phum festival in April. While UNESCO-recognized and experiencing a revival, it is less widely available than more tourist-oriented shows like Apsara dance.

The Sisters of Sbek Thom: Sbek Touch and Sbek Por

Although Sbek Thom is the most well-known type of shadow puppetry in Cambodia, there is still a lot more to learn about the rich history of the art form. That’s why you shouldn’t overlook the captivating Sbek Touch or the dynamic Sbek Por, the sister arts of Sbek Thom.

Sbek Touch features smaller cowhide puppets with movable parts, making them true puppets. This form is popular for its dynamic performances and a wide range of engaging famous tales, which are familiar to the Cambodian audiences.

Sbek Por, also known as the Color Leather Theater or Central Theater, is distinguished by its use of vibrant, colored cowhide puppets. It typically brings to life stories from the Buddhist Jataka, as well as episodes from the Reamker, Inav Bosba, and other myths. Unlike its counterparts, Sbek Por is performed exclusively during the day.

sbek thom

FAQs

How long does it take to make a Sbek Thom puppet?
It takes several days. The process includes one to two days for cleaning and soaking, followed by drying, shaving, carving, and assembling, as described by Kravel in Look Krou Dep’s methods.
Why is Sbek Thom considered sacred?
Rooted in the Reamker, it is closely tied to Brahmanism and Buddhism. Rituals like hom pithi elevate it beyond entertainment, making it a revered religious tradition for centuries.
Where did Sbek Thom originate?
Likely dating back to the Angkor period, it evolved from early puppetry and Ramayana influences by the 3rd century and became firmly established by the 19th century.
How can I watch a Sbek Thom performance?
You can visit venues like Sovanna Phum and Wat Bo, attend festivals, or book a tour—be sure to check schedules in advance.