Phnom Penh - Cambodia began three days of intense partying
Saturday as people welcomed the new Year of the Pig and said goodbye
to the Year of the Dog.
The goddess Mohatearak Devi, who sits astride the divine pig which
will rule the heavens for the coming year, arrived just after midday,
according to astrologers.
In between parties, games and traditional dances, Cambodians made
traditional offerings of meats, fruits, incense and other delicacies
of the goddess and prayed for good luck and good fortune for the
coming year.
But Royal Palace astrologer Im Borin said the new year will bring
some hardships, with a poor rice crop, stormy weather and a 'big
problem in Phnom Penh' predicted in the coming months.
It will be a good year for women however, according to the
venerable soothsayer, with the wives of high officials generally
content and the nation's legion of waitresses in line for prosperity
and property.
Although Khmers have recently adopted the practice of throwing
powder and water from neighbouring Thailand, which also celebrates a
lunar new year at this time, authorities have frowned on the
practice, calling it 'un-Cambodian' and have warned it will not be
tolerated throughout most of the capital.
However roads have been choked in recent days with Cambodians
cramming onto public transport in an effort to reach their provincial
family homes to celebrate the season with loved ones and friends, and
the capital appeared largely deserted Saturday.
The three-day celebrations represent one of the most important
social and religious events in the Cambodian calendar and the country
grinds to a halt until next Tuesday, when the holiday officially
ends.
© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur 
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