In a powerful display of artistry and craftmanship, Cambodia set a Guinness World Record in July 2018 for creating the world’s longest handwoven Krama scarf — measuring an extraordinary 1,149.8 meters long and 88 centimeters wide.The project took nearly five months to complete and brought together artisans from 20 Krama weaving communities across the country, with help from an astounding 22,315 people representing 54 countries at a public weaving site in front of the National Museum in Phnom Penh.
Participants included locals, tourists, artists, students, and supporters from around the globe — the youngest just 4 years old, and the oldest 88. Each person added their own piece to the growing fabric, making the project both a record-breaking feat and a meaningful act of collective creation. If laid end to end, the total length of thread used in weaving the Krama would stretch an incredible 2,912 kilometers — nearly the distance from Phnom Penh to Tokyo and back.
The Krama, a traditional Cambodian scarf, holds deep symbolic value. Worn by people of all ages and backgrounds, it serves countless practical and ceremonial purposes — from everyday use to religious and political symbolism. In December 2024, the cultural significance of the Krama was further recognized when UNESCO inscribed the Khmer Krama on the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list, cementing its place not only in Cambodian hearts, but also in the international heritage community.
Weaving the scarf outside the National Museum was no coincidence. The location underscored the link between Cambodia’s ancient textile traditions and its modern cultural identity. Now hosted at the museum, the kilometer-long Krama stood as a testament to the enduring relevance of traditional crafts in a changing world.
