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In Khmer, "Sla" means areca tree (or areca fruit), "Tho" means tower (understood as stupa). Simply put, Sla Tho is "ceremonial cotton tree".

The Sla Tho are beautifully decorated in Khmer religious ceremonies.

Not only an offering, for the Khmer people, Sla Tho also symbolizes Mount Meru - the center of the universe, the place where the gods reside according to ancient Buddhist and Brahmanical concepts.

Sla Tho is an indispensable item in most Khmer rituals, especially on ancestor worship occasions.

To make a Sla Tho, the artisan chooses a beautiful banana tree trunk to use as a pillar, symbolizing the solidity of mother earth; around it are inserted flower branches, rolled betel leaves, areca nuts and candles, incense sticks... Nowadays, Sla Tho is decorated with colorful flowers such as chrysanthemums and marigolds to increase the splendor.

Every decorative detail on Sla Tho shows respect to the Triple Gem.

Every detail on Sla Tho conveys the sincere respect to the Three Jewels (Buddha - Dharma - Sangha), ancestors and guardian gods. Khmer people believe that Sla Tho is the bridge between the human world and the divine world. When the incense stick on top of Sla Tho is lit, that is when the sacred space and time of the ceremony begins. All prayers for peace, bountiful harvests, or happiness of couples are sent to the upper realm to witness and bless.

Sla Tho are brightly decorated in Khmer weddings.

In any Khmer ritual, the presence of Sla Tho is a testament to filial piety and deep religious belief. Understanding Sla Tho helps us to appreciate the cultural beauty that is both simple and close to nature, and contains the noble philosophy of life of the Khmer people.

Do Ni - Danh Diep

Source: https://baocamau.vn/sla-tho-net-thieng-trong-van-hoa-khmer-a124363.html