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Initials



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Background: CROWDS OF THOUSANDS, INCLUDING THE CAMBODIAN HEAD OF STATE, PRINCE NORODOM SIHANOUK, MADE THEIR WAY TO THE TONLE SAP RIVER IN PHNOM PENH RECENTLY FOR THE MOST IMPORTANT OF THE TRADITIONAL FESTIVALS IN CAMBODIA: THE WATER FESTIVAL, OR TO GIVE ITS CORRECT NAME -- THE FESTIVAL OF THE REVERSING CURRENT.

THIS ANNUAL FESTIVAL MARKS THE DESIRE OF THE PEOPLE TO GIVE THANKS TO THE WATER AND THE EARTH FOR THEIR BENEFITS. SET BY RITUAL DURING THE FULL MOON AND OF THE MONTH OF KATTIK, THIS YEAR IT FELL ON NOVEMBER 19, AND CORRESPONDED WITH THE END OF THE FLOOD WATERS WHICH FOR SEVERAL MONTHS TRANSFORMED MUCH OF THE LAND INTO AN IMMENSE LAKE. IT ALSO COLLIDED WITH THE REVERSAL OF THE CURRENT OF THE RIVER WHICH AT THIS TIME BEGINS ONCE MORE TO FLOW SOUTH TOWARDS ITS JUNCTION WITH THE MEKONG.

DURING THE FLOOD SEASON FROM JULY TO NOVEMBER, THE CURRENT ON THE TONLE SAP REVERSES AND FLOWS NORTH, CARRYING FLOODWATERS OF THE MEKONG INTO THE GREAT LAKE. THIS HERALD THE RIPENING OF THE CROPS. THE SILT DEPOSITED BY THE FLOODS BRING RICHNESS TO THE LAND ALONG THE BANKS OF THE RIVER. AS A RESULT, THESE LANDS ARE AMONG THE MOST FERTILE IN CAMBODIA.

CANOE RACING WAS THE MOST PROMINENT AND THE MOST POPULAR EVENT OF THE THREE-DAY FESTIVAL. THESE CANOES ARE USUALLY STORED DURING THE YEAR IN BUDDHIST PAGODAS. THEY ARE PAINTED AND ADORNED TWO WITH EYES ON THE PROW, GIVING THEM THEIR SPIRITUAL PERSONALITIES. BEFORE THE START OF THE RACE, THE 120 CANOES MASSED NEAR THE ROYAL FLOATING PAVILION.

AT NIGHT, FIFTY BARGES ILLUMINATED WITH ELECTRIC LIGHTING, CREATED A FASCINATING SPECTACLE. THE GREAT DEPICTED THE MANY ASPECTS OF CAMBODIAN LIFE -- THE PRINCE, CAMBODIA'S FRIENDLY TIES WITH FRANCE (SEE EIFFEL TOWER), MANY MYTHICAL FIGURES, ASPECTS OF HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT. THE ILLUMINATED BARGES, PROVIDED THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE FESTIVAL.