Ancient Cambodian festival drops anchor in Silver Lake (Rochester)

Aug 15, 2012
By Christina Killion Valdez
The Post-Bulletin, Rochester MN

If you go

• What: Cambodian Water Festival
• When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
• Where: Silver Lake Park, near Silver Lake Pool, Rochester
• Admission: Free. Suggested donation of $5 for the dragon boat rides. Registration for the volleyball tournament is $10 a person or $60 for a team of six.

To volunteer or be a vendor at the event, contact Narate Keys at (763) 607-2752.

An upcoming community festival in Rochester is sure to make a big splash.

A first-ever Water Festival, modeled after a popular ancient holiday that draws upwards of a million people to the banks of two Cambodian rivers, will be held Saturday and Sunday at Silver Lake.

The event, sponsored by the Cambodian Association of Rochester Minnesota (CARM), will include dragon boat rides, music and cultural performances and a volleyball tournament. The goal is to raise awareness about CARM, a nonprofit association designed to preserve and share the Khmer culture, as well as its plans to build a community center for all cultures.

Cambodia: Water Festival in Phnom Penh circa 1945-1946 (during the French protectorate era)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqq6haj9Rxg

Flooding Claims 250 Lives, as Government Response Continues

People sit as they receive flood donations at downtown Phnom Penh, Thursday, Oct. 13, 2011. (Photo: AP)

Friday, 14 October 2011
Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer | Phnom Penh

“Our people are increasingly suffering.”

The government raised the national death toll from ongoing flooding to nearly 250 on Friday, as Cambodia continues to grapple with its worst flooding in a decade.

More than 30,000 families have been pushed out of their homes in flooding that began in August. About 390,000 hectares of rice crop have been damaged, along with 2,700 kilometers of roadways in 17 provinces, according to government estimates.

The government has set aside more than $100 million to help repair damages, Hun Sen said Friday.

Relief efforts so far have included food and clothing deliveries to some 76,000 families, Hun Sen said. The Council of Ministers will provide more money to extend the relief efforts to another 40,000 families, he said.

Cambodia cancels festival after floods

October 14, 2011
AFP

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has cancelled the nation's biggest annual festival as he announced that the death toll from the worst flooding in more than a decade has risen to 247.

The funds needed to put on the popular Water Festival, due to take place in the capital from November 9 to 11, would be better spent helping the tens of thousands of families affected, he said.

"If we don't spend the state budget for the (festival) preparations in Phnom Penh ... we can save some money to improve the living standards of our people and repair the damage," Hun Sen said in a televised speech on Thursday.

He also said the precariously high water level of the Tonle Sap river that flows through the city would present a "high risk" to revellers.

Council of Ministers cancels this year’s boat race festival (Bon Om Touk) [-Hun Xen has no contingency funds for flood emergency?]

13 October 2011
By Ratana
Cambodia Express News
Translated from Khmer by Soch

Phnom Penh – During the special meeting of the Council of Ministers presided by Hun Xen and held at 3PM on Thursday 13 October 2011 to discuss the evaluation of the effect of the flooding and the measures, it was decided that the boat race festival celebration will not be observed this year.

During the meeting, Hun Xen said that because the country is currently facing flooding, the government has decided that the boat racing festival which is planned for 10-11 November 2011 will be delayed to next year.

Hun Xen claimed that the government is spending over 10 million riels ($2,500) for each racing boat, therefore, the government is using that fund to help the flooding instead. However, the authority could organize the boat festival along each province based on their ability.

Cambodia hosts friendly boat race

Saturday, January 09, 2010
Big Pond News

Cambodia has hosted a friendly boat race to foster good relations with its neighbours, Vietnam and Thailand.

The race was held at Koh Kong in the southwest of the nation, almost 300 kilometres from the capital Phnom Penh.

The race marks the 31st anniversary of the CCP, Cambodia's ruling party, which supplanted the Khmer Rouge regime.

Four boats from each country took place in the Friendship Boat Race, with a Thai team coming out on top this year.

Boat racing practice

Participants in traditional dragon boats practice for the annual Water Festival boat race on the Tonle Sap river in Phnom Penh October 31, 2009. The three-day race will be held from November 1-3. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Bon Om Touk 2008 - Boat Race Festival 2008

Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni (front R) greets officials as Prime Minister Hun Sen (L) and Senate President Chea Sim walk behind him upon his arrival on the first day of the Water Festival in front of the royal palace in Phnom Penh November 11, 2008 . About 29,000 oarsmen in more than 420 boats will compete in boat races during the three-day festival from November 11 to 13. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni greets boat racers as he attends the first day of the Water Festival in front of the royal palace in Phnom Penh November 11, 2008. About 29,000 oarsmen in more than 420 boats will compete in boat races during the three-day festival from November 11 to 13. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
A boat decorated with Nagar floats on the Basak river on the first day of the annual Water Festival boat race in Phnom Penh November 11, 2008. About 29,000 oarsmen in more than 420 boats will compete in the three-day race from November 11 to 13. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Rower missing as annual Cambodian Water Festival begins

Tue, 11/11/2008
DPA

Phnom Penh - Cambodia's annual Water Festival, or Bon Um Tuk, began in the capital Phnom Penh on Tuesday amid fears for a boat racer who went missing the previous day during training session for the traditional regatta.

The Cambodia Daily newspaper reported 38-year-old Sin Sang from Pursat province in the country's west fell from his team's race boat 50 metres from the shore of Tonle Sap river on Monday.

The man's teammates were reportedly unable to enter the water to save him due to dangerous currents. The man's body still had not been found on Tuesday afternoon.

Five racers from Singapore drowned during last year's festival when their boat capsized while returning to the racing berth.

Officials estimate more than 4 million people have descended on the capital for the three-day festival, which celebrates the reversal of the flow of Tonle Sap and rivals Khmer New Year as the country's most important national holiday.

Tonle Sap, a river-lake system which changes its flow twice a year, is of huge importance to Cambodia. During the dry season, the Tonle Sap drains into the Mekong river at Phnom Penh, but reverses its flow during the rainy season.

Day 1 of Bon Om Touk (Boat Race Festival)

Boat rowers practise for the annual Water Festival boat race on the Mekong river in Phnom Penh November 10, 2008. About 29,000 oarsmen in more than 420 boats will compete in the three-day race from November 11 to 13. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Boat rowers practise for the annual Water Festival boat race on the Mekong river in Phnom Penh November 10, 2008. About 29,000 oarsmen in more than 420 boats will compete in the three-day race from November 11 to 13. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
A boat captain prays before the start of a race on the first day of the annual water festival on the Mekong river in Phnom Penh November 11, 2008. About 29,000 oarsmen in more than 420 boats will compete in boat races during the three-day festival from November 11 to 13. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
A Buddhist monk blesses boat rowers before the start of a race on the first day of the annual water festival on the Mekong river in Phnom Penh November 11, 2008. About 29,000 oarsmen in more than 420 boats will compete in boat races during the three-day festival from November 11 to 13. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Boat rowers prepare for a race on the first day of the annual water festival on the Mekong river in Phnom Penh November 11, 2008. About 29,000 oarsmen in more than 420 boats will compete in boat races during the three-day festival from November 11 to 13. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

More Photos from Day 2 of the Bon Om Touk (Boat Race Festival)

The Philippine (R) and Lao (L) teams wait at the start point during the annual water festival at the Tonle Sap river in Phnom Penh November 24, 2007. Five Singaporeans who took part in a dragon boat race in Cambodia are presumed drowned when their boat capsized, police said on Saturday. The five were part of a crew of 22 people and were rowing back to the starting line of the 1.5 km race on Friday when a sudden wave caused their boat to overturn. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

The Philippine (R) and Lao (L) teams wait at the start point during the annual water festival at the Tonle Sap river in Phnom Penh November 24, 2007. Five Singaporeans who took part in a dragon boat race in Cambodia are presumed drowned when their boat capsized, police said on Saturday. The five were part of a crew of 22 people and were rowing back to the starting line of the 1.5 km race on Friday when a sudden wave caused their boat to overturn. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Photos from Day 2 of the Bon Om Touk (Boat Race Festival)

Cambodian rescue divers prepare to search for missing Singaporean's, who are presumed drowned after a sudden wave caused their boat to overturn, in the Tonle Sap river in Phnom Penh November 24, 2007. Five Singaporeans who took part in a dragon boat race in Cambodia are presumed drowned when their boat capsized, police said on Saturday. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Cambodian rescue divers search for missing Singaporean's, who are presumed drowned after a sudden wave caused their boat to overturn, in the Tonle Sap river in Phnom Penh November 24, 2007. Five Singaporeans who took part in a dragon boat race in Cambodia are presumed drowned when their boat capsized, police said on Saturday. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Rescue boats patrol during the search for missing Singaporeans, who are presumed drowned after a sudden wave caused their boat to overturn, in the Tonle Sap river in Phnom Penh November 24, 2007. Five Singaporeans who took part in a dragon boat race in Cambodia are presumed drowned when their boat capsized, police said on Saturday. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Rescue boats patrol during the search for missing Singaporeans, who are presumed drowned after a sudden wave caused their boat to overturn, in the Tonle Sap river in Phnom Penh November 24, 2007. Five Singaporeans who took part in a dragon boat race in Cambodia are presumed drowned when their boat capsized, police said on Saturday. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Thailand's team (R) and Laos' team (L) prepare for a race during the annual water festival on the Tonle Sap river in Phnom Penh on November 24, 2007. Five Singaporeans who took part in a dragon boat race in Cambodia are presumed drowned when their boat capsized, police said on Saturday. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Dragon boats prepare to race on the second day of the annual water festival on the Tonle Sap river in Phnom Penh on November 24, 2007. Five Singaporeans who took part in a dragon boat race in Cambodia are presumed drowned when their boat capsized, police said on Saturday. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Five Singaporeans presumed drowned in Cambodia: Police

PHNOM PENH, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Five Singaporeans who took part in a dragon boat race in Cambodia are presumed drowned when their boat capsized, police said on Saturday.

"We have no hope of finding survivors. We're searching for the bodies, but have found none yet," Phnom Penh police chief Touch Naroth told Reuters.

The five were part of a crew of 22 people and were rowing back to the starting line of the 1.5 km race on Friday when a sudden wave caused their boat to overturn.

Seven other members of the Singaporean team were taken to hospital, police said. The team were not wearing life jackets.

Ten other Cambodian-crewed boats sank on the first day of the annual water festival in the capital, injuring at least one crew member, officials said.

More than 26,000 and 430 wooden dragon boats, many of them from other Southeast Asian countries, are competing in the three-day race broadcast live on Cambodian television.

The annual festival on the Tonle Sap River, presided over by King Norodom Sihamoni and government leaders, honors Cambodia's ancient naval warriors and fisherman and farmers give thanks to the river.

(Reporting by Ek Madra and Saeed Azhar in Singapore, editing by Darren Schuettler & Louise Heavens)

Record-Breaking Water Festival Underway

By VOA Khmer, Reporters
Original reports from Phnom Penh
23 November 2007

Cambodians inundated the capital this week to partake in the annual Water Festival, a celebration of a topographic occurrence that causes the Tonle Sap River to change its course.

The annual shift is typically marked in November with boat races, an illuminated night regatta, concerts, galas and other events. Phnom Penh authorities said the number of visitors this year set a record. During the festival, Cambodians give thanks to the water, especially fishermen and farmers, and commemorate the period of Angkorian naval power, festival organizers said.

"This year, we're all happy," Tourism Minister Thong Khon said. "The size of the boats is thrilling. Talking about the local tourist, it's about more than 1 million on this occasion. There is an increase of 20 percent in international tourist flow to the country to welcome the festival, thanks to our timely publicity through the Internet."

The Water Festival marks in part the end of the rainy season, when the upper Tonle Sap Lake drains southeast into the Mekong. As the lake loses water during the ensuing dry season, the river will revert to its northwesterly flow.

Part of the celebration includes three days of continuous boat races. This year saw 432 boats entered.

"It's very interesting to see so many boats and so many people, and the people are very friendly," said David Keller, a Swiss resident who has worked in Cambodia for almost a year and witnessed the event for the first time.

Along the riverfront, from the Japanese Friendship Bridge to the Royal Palace, a mass of whistling, cheering Cambodians and tourists greeted the racers.

"Each boat consists of either more than 70 people, 60 people, 50 people or 40 people," said a 76-year-old racer from Kampong Cham province. "We have both sitting and standing paddle-boats."

Boat Race Festival opening ceremony

Cambodian military police block the crowd as King Norodom Sihamoni presides over the first day of the water festival ceremony at the Tonle Sap River in front of the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Friday, Nov. 23, 2007. A three days of annual water festival, starting Friday is to dedicated to the Kingdom ancestral naval warrior and the mighty of Mekong water that provides a vital natural resources and fishes to Cambodian. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen walks with his wife Bun Rany upon their arrival at the first day of the Water Festival in front of the royal palace in Phnom Penh November 23, 2007 . Cambodia's annual Water Festival and boat racing takes place between November 23 to November 25. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni greets boat racers in front of the royal palace during the first day of the Water Festival in Phnom Penh November 23, 2007 . Cambodia's annual Water Festival and boat racing takes place between November 23 to November 25. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni (R) greets Prime Minister Hun Sen (L), as Senate President Chea Sim and Heng Samrin (rear R) smile, upon his arrival at the first day of the Water Festival in front of the royal palace in Phnom Penh November 23, 2007 . Cambodia's annual Water Festival and boat racing takes place between November 23 to November 25. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni (R) greets Prime Minister Hun Sen (L), as Senate President Chea Sim and Heng Samrin (rear R) smile, upon his arrival at the first day of the Water Festival in front of the royal palace in Phnom Penh November 23, 2007 . Cambodia's annual Water Festival and boat racing takes place between November 23 to November 25. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni (R) greets Prime Minister Hun Sen (L), as Senate President Chea Sim and Heng Samrin (rear R) smile, upon his arrival at the first day of the Water Festival in front of the royal palace in Phnom Penh November 23, 2007 . Cambodia's annual Water Festival and boat racing takes place between November 23 to November 25. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Cambodian king declares colourful annual boat race celebration open

Fri, 23 Nov 2007
DPA

Phnom Penh - Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni declared the annual Water Festival open Friday before hundreds of thousands of Cambodians who have traveled to the capital to see three days of colourful traditional boat racing. After the king released ceremonial doves and viewed heats of the three days of races, fireworks lit up the sky to mark the beginning of one of the agriculturally dependent nation's most important festivals, which marks the end of wet season.

However, climate change has wreaked havoc on the festival, with unseasonal rains marring the celebrations several times in past years and fallout from a powerful typhoon currently slamming the coast of neighbouring Vietnam expected to again pose problems for racers this year.

Thousands of police have been deployed to maintain order as visitors crowd the capital's river front to catch a glimpse of the delicate and precariously balanced traditional wooden boats.

Organizers said hundreds of the brightly painted vessels from every province in the country and several neighbouring nations including Laos and Vietnam are expected to race this year for prize money and the chance of receiving personal congratulations from the king.

Photos from Day 1 of the Bon Om Touk (Boat Race Festival)

A man prays on his boat before the start of racing on the Basak river in Phnom Penh November 23, 2007. Cambodia's annual Water Festival and boat racing takes place between November 23 and 25. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Participants prepare to start the race on the first day on the Basak river in Phnom Penh November 23, 2007. Cambodia's annual Water Festival and boat racing takes place between November 23 and 25. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Participants prepare to start the race on the first day on the Basak river in Phnom Penh November 23, 2007. Cambodia's annual Water Festival and boat racing takes place between November 23 and 25. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Participants prepare to start the race on the first day on the Basak river in Phnom Penh November 23, 2007. Cambodia's annual Water Festival and boat racing takes place between November 23 and 25. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Cambodian boat racers row their boats in front of Royal Palace during a first day of annual water festival along the Tonle Sap river in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Friday, Nov. 23, 2007. The three-day annual water festival starting Friday is to dedicated to the Kingdom ancestral naval warrior moreover to the mighty of Mekong water that provides a vital natural resources and fishes to Cambodian. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

Cambodian boat racers row their boats in front of Royal Palace during a first day of annual water festival along the Tonle Sap river in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Friday, Nov. 23, 2007. The three-day annual water festival starting Friday is to dedicated to the Kingdom ancestral naval warrior moreover to the mighty of Mekong water that provides a vital natural resources and fishes to Cambodian. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

Brunei paddlers participate in Bon Om Touk (Boat Race Festival)

Local Paddlers Leave For Bonn Om Touk Water Fest In Cambodia

By Hj Minor Absah
Borneo Bulletin

Bandar Seri Begawan - A group of 12 paddlers left Brunei yesterday to participate in Cambodia's Bonn Om Touk Water Festival. Also accompanying them is their coach, who will also be taking part in the event held from Nov 23 to 25.

They will be joining paddlers from other Asean member countries in the traditional boat race competition. The annual festival marks the start of fishing season in Cambodia, as well as the reversing of currents in the Tonle Sap River.

Attracting many visitors from abroad, it will also feature other contests, fairs, fireworks and cultural shows.

On Eve of Water Festival, Wishes for Prosperity

Phnom Penh's annual Water Festival, which features boat-racing and other events, will draw hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, to the capital.

By Suon Kanika, VOA Khmer
Original report from Kampong Speu
22 November 2007

Ambok is a popular food for Cambodians, puffed rice that is sought after during Phnom Penh's annual Water Festival.

On the eve of the festival, held to celebrate the reversal of the flow of the Tonle Sap River, villagers prepared the ambok for sale in the capital.

"When putting fried paddy rice [into the mortar], Mao pounds lightly and shuffles or breaks it up a little bit, or they'll stick to each other," said Mao, a villager in Korng Pisey district, Kampong Speu province, who referred to herself in the third person.

Mao spoke as she prepared ambok for sale to a middleman, who would then transport it to Phnom Penh. The capital will see hundreds of thousands, possibly millions, of Cambodians during the Water Festival.

The streets will be jammed with people from the countryside, as boat races, galas and street vendors keep them entertained.

Many will be looking for ambok, a traditional favorite for the occasion.

The snack is an offering to the moon, which, combined with water, is seen as important in agricultural prosperity. The annual Water Festival is held during a time of the full moon, according to a lunar calendar.

"Once all the preparation is done, people start to light the candles when the moon is rising," explained Tes Pranann, a resident of Phnom Penh. "At midnight, they start eating ambok, banana, and coconut juice, while looking at the moon and making wishes for prosperity in every family."

Two major storm systems could affect the Boat Race festival

Thursday, November 22, 2007
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

An official from the ministry of meteorology and water resources indicated that there are two simultaneous storms brewing in the South China Sea and in the Pacific Ocean, and both storms are heading towards South Vietnam, and if their courses remain the same, they will also affect Cambodia on 23-24 November, the same days the Boat Race festival will take place. Long Saravuth, director of the meteorology department, told the Rasmei Kampuchea on Wednesday that his department did not inform the public yet about these storms because they are still to far away, and they have no influence yet on Cambodia. He said that if these two storms maintain their courses, they could affect Cambodia on the days of the Boat Race festival.