By Mr. Nheav Sopheak

Mondulkiri, Phnong Ethnic

Resin tapping, a traditional job among indigenous people, is commonly done by young men and adults in summer when people are free from farming. Resin tappers get up early in the morning, carry water containers, and walk into the forest to look for resin trees. As can be seen in the photo, the tapper is putting out a fire inside the resin in order to get resin liquid. Presently, the number resin trees is decreasing because of land concession and illegal logging.

By Mr. Keo Cheun

Stung Treng Province, Prov Ethnic 

Traditionally, indigenous people plant rice twice a year: upland and lowland rice cultivation. In this photo, the farmers are doing upland rice farming which is normally done in May or April before growing in the lowland.                

In practice, to do upland rice farming, farmers need to dig a small hole with their bamboo sticks while others follow and fill the hole with rice seeds. Upland rice farming does not need much care which allows the farmer to have more time to other jobs such as cultivating lowland rice.

 

Stung Treng Province, Prov Ethnic

Ghost Spiritual Ceremony is a traditional ceremony held twice a year in March and May to pray for the happiness of indigenous people living in the village.

In these photos, the villagers are preparing to offer cake, rice, chicken, duck, candles made from beeswax, wine and thread for the ghost spirits in the forest: both male and female spirits. A small shrine dedicated to the two spirits has been built in the forest. and two statues, representing the two spirits, are posing in the shrine for worship.

By Mr. Kamm Leun Sin

Ratanakiri province, Krung Indigenous Group 

The photographer, who is interested in various activities in his village, is telling the audiences about rice farming, birthday parties, animal hunting, and rice farming. The birthday party is celebrated few days after the baby was born. The guests, including the midwife, are invited to drink white wine which has been poured into a jar with four tubes. They all drink together, in a group of four men or women. All the guests are served cooked chicken before they leave the party. After the party, a wooden stick is placed for one day at the doorway of the family holding the party which prevents anyone from entering.

By Miss KRORN Khanich

Modulkiri, Phnong Indigenous Group 

Phnong weddings are traditionally celebrated over two days. The first day is the meeting of elder people in the village. They all gather together to drink wine and the role of individual during the wedding includes preparing and gathering traditional materials as well as killing an animal for food. On the second day, those on duty need to get up early in the morning in order to fulfill their tasks. Buffalo, cow, chicken, and duck are killed for their blood and meat which are used later. The tail and ear of the cow and buffalo are for worshipping spirits of the village so that they know these animals were killed to serve the wedding ceremony. The mixed blood of chicken, duck, buffalo, and cow is sprayed in the kitchen and around the house for the good luck of the bride and the groom.

Then, the elder villagers prepare other Kalis (spiritual ceremony) which tells all the ghost spirits about the wedding of the couple and asks for happiness in the village. Kalis can be done in two places: the forest or the village. If the couples are relatives, the Kalis will be done in the forest; otherwise, it will be done in the village.

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