Feature: Marble sculpting gives Cambodian province unique identity

When seeing items carved from marble in Cambodia, locals know that such products are made by residents here in the mountainous province.

The province, situated about 186 km west of Cambodia, is known for top-quality marble, and for decades locals have made their living by carving marble for souvenirs and statues.

Marble carver Kep Kok, 69, who has sculpted marble for more than three decades, said marble-made products are very popular in Cambodia, though they are more expensive than those made from wood and sandstone.

"My products are sold to Phnom Penh City and pagodas across the country. Customers can make purchase orders via telephone and I deliver products to their doorsteps," he said.

He also said he could sculpt all types of objects and statues from marble, with the prices ranging from 10 U.S. dollars to thousands of dollars, based on size and complexity.

"Marble-made Buddha statues are the best selling products here," he said.

In a bid to preserve the culture of stone carving and to expand his business, Kep Kok has taught his seven children and nephews to carve marble.

"I learned this skill from my uncle, and I can carve different images -- objects, humans and animals," said Kep Kok's nephew, Som Chivoan, 38. "I can earn from 60,000 riel to 70,000 riel (15 to 17.5 U.S. dollars) a day from this job."

He said marble is purchased from companies for about 1,500 riel a kilogram.

The marble lies five meters below ground. Two companies have been given exclusive rights to extract the marble from quarries in the province, according to Pursat Provincial Governor Mao Thonin.

He said there are 103 marble workshops in the province, making a variety of products to sell across the country, particularly at tourist sites.

"Marble is the identity of the Pursat province, it has contributed to improving people's living conditions and attracting more tourists to the province," he said. Enditem