Neak Ta

guardian · Cambodia · Southeast Asia

Neak Ta are the guardian spirits of land and village in Khmer popular religion: local deities residing in trees, rocks, mounds, and shrines who protect communities, families, and territory. Documented by scholar Ang Choulean, they receive regular offerings, are integrated with Theravada Buddhism, guard against misfortune, and their worship was rekindled after the Khmer Rouge era.

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