Khmer News- Cambodian economy
After the national election 1993, Cambodia has restarted to celebrate the Water Festival Ceremony during 3 days annually taking place in October or November. And Most of Cambodian people flock from different provinces and cities into Phnom Penh capital in order to watch boat racings on Mekong River.
In the history, Khmer King always does the battle with enemies by sailing. Therefore the Water Festival Ceremony is the army training to do attest of the army for preparing to do a battle. By the way, this festival is prepared very year to choose Champion of sailing battle, as in Bayon temple, Batteay Chhmar in the Preah Bat Jayvarman VII.
In addition, holding the festival is to mark the changing of the flow of the Tonle Sap River and is also seen as thanksgiving to the Mekong River for providing the country with fertile land and abundant fish. And at the time, the Tonle Sap River reverts to its normal down-stream direction.
As we know, during the Water Festival, most of Cambodian people come to Phnom Penh but during the Khmer New Year and P’chum Ben Day, those flock to provinces in order to meet their families and relatives. And it is so quiet in Capital. I am waiting for this festival….!!!
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I like this picture! Great shot!
I think that this year there will be not so much people coming from provinces to watch boat racing because they have no enough money to travel to Phnom Penh. I rarely went to watch boat racing at the bank of river because it is hot. i like to stay at home and just watch TV.