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Traditions of Si Sla Mlu are deeply rooted in the societies of Asian countries, including Cambodia. In Cambodia, Sla-Mlou has become an integral part of all Khmer traditional ceremonies from birth to death, as well as other religious ceremonies of both the people and the king. The royal word to call Mlu-Sla is “Preah Srey”. Mlu Sla is important at home, especially for the wealthy, to have luxurious things for keeping this Sla Mlu. Those things are made from wood, bamboo, Ror Peak, and silver or gold, as well as Kmok Mreak and fine designs, as they are not only used to store Sla Mlu, but also for home decoration, and even in large ceremonies at the royal palace. It is seen to be placed on the table near the place where the King sit down. Before the Khmer wedding, there is a ceremony called "engagement." In that ceremony, the elders and the parents of both sides "Si Sla” as a testimony of the engagement ceremony, and even have the words" Si Sla Pjoib Peak”. It is believed that Sla Mlu is a medicine and a sacred object because the Khmer therapist chews it to spit and blow to cure diseases (Tlos, Krech, Rerm, especially Peus Plerng…) or spitting to avoid the disease from harassing and expelling evil. About two decades ago, eating Mlu Sla was a common practice for both men and women, and some are even addicted to eating Sla. Mlu Sla is a snack to welcome guests who visit. That is why Sla Mlu is often planted in almost every house. Occasionally there is a burning of Kombor (from the shell of clams, snails, and sea snails) by itself.
Locals understand that eating Sla makes teeth stronger and does not cause bad breath. Eating Sla makes the teeth darker and this may be the popularity of that generation. But the Khmer people say Si Sla, apart from Sla, there are other ingredients such as Mlu, Kombor, and Tnam Juk. And the way to eat is by applying Kombor on one leaf of Mlu leaf eat together with young or ripe Sla. If the elders are without teeth, Sla and Mlu will be grinded together so that he or she can eat afterward. Then squeeze a small amount of Tnam Juk and roll it between the teeth and the lips. Some Jok Tnam without eating Sla. The sla is not swallowed, it is spit out. The saliva that comes out is as red as blood and it will make the house dirty if there is nothing to put the saliva in. That is why we always see in every house there is a spittoon for saliva, and that spittoon is also a valuable tool for showing off the wealth, the same resources as the things that used to store Sla-Mlu.
In literary texts, whether it is Lberk, poetry, or song, this Si Sla Mlu tradition is also included, and there are even more legends related to the origin of this Sla-Mlu.21 Nowadays, the Si Sla-Mlu tradition has declined somewhat, especially for people in the city and children because they no longer make their teeth black like before.
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