The Khmer civilization once ruled much of Southeast Asia. In the 1200s, the Thais and Vietnamese defeated the Khmer and pushed them into Cambodia, where most live today. The huge Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia gives evidence of past glories. The first Khmer Cambodians came to Germany during East Germany's communist era. They were mainly students.
Most Khmer are in Cambodia where they are the dominant people group, but there is a diaspora in many Western nations including Germany.
The Khmer in Germany have been there for decades, but they maintain their culture through their own cultural societies. Cambodian restaurants, owned and staffed by Cambodians, are popular in Germany. Cambodians have made their mark in Germany in the areas of business and sports. Some Cambodians have returned to Cambodia after living in Germany.
Central Khmer are Buddhist, although relics of ethnic religions such as ancestor worship (praying to deceased ancestors) and spirit worship are very real.
They have been primarily Buddhist since the 13th century, but elements of Hinduism and animism are mingled with Buddhist beliefs. The former Khmer Empire was influenced by India, from which it adopted Hinduism and Buddhism. Today, the majority of the Central Khmer are Buddhist, although relics of ethnic religions such as ancestor worship (praying to deceased ancestors) and spirit worship are very important to them. The Buddhist Khmer also seek the middle path to nirvana, or ultimate peace through gaining merit in this life. Merit may be gained through supporting the construction of Buddhist temples, giving food to monks and studying in the monastery.
Although the Bible and other Christian resources are available to the Central Khmer, there is a long way to go before they would be considered reached, even in Germany where the percentage of Khmer believers is higher than it is in Asia. They remain in need of true inner peace, that can only come from Jesus Christ. Prayer is the key to reaching them with the gospel.
Pray that the Khmer people in Germany will have a spiritual hunger that will open their hearts to the King of kings. Pray for workers who are driving by the love and boldness of the Holy Spirit to go to them. Pray for a disciple making movement among them to begin this decade.
Scripture Prayers for the Khmer in Germany.
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Khmer |
People Name in Country | Khmer |
Pronunciation |
kuh-MARE
|
Alternate Names | Cambodians; Central Khmer; Cu Tho; Cur; Kampuchean; Khmer Krom; Khmer Nam Bo; Khmer, Northern; Kho Me; Khơ-me; Kmer; Ku; Mien; Thai-Khmer; West Cham |
Population this Country | 13,000 |
Population all Countries | 16,122,000 |
Total Countries | 13 |
Indigenous | No |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | No |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 12662 |
ROP3 Code | 104946 |
ROP25 Code | 303980 |
ROP25 Name | Khmer |
Country | Germany | ||
Region | Europe, Western | ||
Continent | Europe | ||
10/40 Window | No | ||
National Bible Society | Website | ||
Persecution Rank | Not ranked |
Country | Germany |
Region | Europe, Western |
Continent | Europe |
10/40 Window | No |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | Not ranked |
Primary Religion: | Buddhism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
89.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 2.00 %) |
4.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
4.10 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
0.80 %
|
Non-Religious |
2.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.10 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Khmer (13,000 speakers) |
Language Code | khm Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Khmer (13,000 speakers) |
Language Code | khm Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Khmer |
Primary Language: Khmer
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1899-1933) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1929-1993) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1954-2016) |
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) | Online |
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Photo Source | Copyrighted © 2023 Ari V - Shutterstock All rights reserved. Used with permission |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |