Bunong-indigenous community

Bunong are an indigenous group who live in Cambodia’s highlands, primarily in Mondulkiri Province. They are culturally distinct from the Khmer (the majority population in Cambodia) of their belief in spirits, their connection to elephants, their weaving practices, and their livelihoods. Bunong’s religious beliefs are animistic, which means they think that everything has a spirit, including animals, plants, hills, stones, jars, and buildings. Spirits also symbolize their forefathers. If these spirits are displeased as a result of human behavior, they can intervene in the Bunong’s existence, either to harm or defend them. Ceremonies and rituals, such as animal sacrifice, are often required to satisfy the spirits.

However, this distinction is fading over time due to a variety of circumstances. These influences include the “Khmerization” of the Bunong under King Sihanouk’s political period (especially from 1954 to 1970).

Supporting Bunong

Sre Pok Wildlife Sanctuary is also home to the Bunong Indigenous People. The Bunong community comprises about half of the area’s households. The Bunong practice animist beliefs focusing on ancestral spirits who are inextricably linked to nature. As a result, a partnership with indigenous communities through conservation and sustainable management training is critical, as is ensuring that the development of the REDD+ project considers the community’s long-term benefit from the project through job creation, assisting with community education and infrastructure, producing eco-friendly products such as wild honey, and growing organic vegetables.