Culture: Religion
Almost all Cambodians are Buddhists. Once, Buddhist monasteries ran all the schools and all young men became monks for at least a few months after they left school. Now, the government runs schools and most boys only stay in the monastery for a week or two. Still, most national holidays are Buddhist festivals. Monks give a blessing at ceremonies like weddings and funerals, but they do not run the ceremony itself. That is the job of the achar, an expert in the spirit world.

Even if they see themselves as Buddhist, Hindu or even Muslim, most Cambodians also believe that spirits live in almost everything around them. Some of these spirits are good, but most are bad and will cause trouble for anyone who does not respect them and leave them gifts of food at a spirit house. People ask advice from astrologers, and go to sorcerers when they are sick or in need.