PHNOM PENH, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia is preparing to celebrate its traditional Lunar New Year, the Year of the Dragon, which will start on Saturday.
Hundreds of thousands of migrant workers have begun to leave the capital Phnom Penh for their hometowns in various provinces in order to enjoy the holiday with their family members.
Chum Sina, a 35-year-old deliveryman for a private company in Phnom Penh, said the traditional New Year is the most important occasion for a family gathering.
"This is a special occasion for a family reunion," he told Xinhua on Friday while taking a bus with his wife and a son to his hometown in Pursat province, about 200 km northwest of Phnom Penh.
"I usually visit my hometown twice a year on the occasions of the Pchum Ben festival, or Ancestor's Day, and the Cambodian New Year," he added.
Sina said during the New Year, besides gathering with parents and relatives, people will go for a walk, play traditional games, or visit various tourist destinations.
A native to southeastern Prey Veng province, Lib Kunsry, a garment factory worker in Phnom Penh, said she is eager to see her family members as they have not met for months.
"I'm looking forward to the New Year holiday because I miss my hometown and want to meet my family members," the 38-year-old mother of a daughter told Xinhua.
Kunsry goes to her hometown thrice a year on the occasions of traditional New Year, Pchum Ben festival, and Water Festival.
"On the occasion of the traditional New Year, I always give some money and food to my parents and parents-in-law as well as to elderly relatives," she said. "Also, I prepare some food and money for monks at a pagoda to dedicate to the dead relatives."
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on Thursday blessed his compatriots with best wishes on the occasion.
"May the Year of the Dragon bring all Cambodian people with the five gems of Buddhist blessing: longevity, nobility, happiness, strength and wisdom," he said in a public speech.
"Local authorities must pay attention to maintaining security, public order, and good environment during the New Year celebrations," he added.
During the New Year holidays, people prepare food, fruits and soft drinks on altars and light candles and incense sticks in order to greet the New Year's angel.
Besides, they bring food, cash gift, and praying stuff to offer to Buddhist monks at pagodas in order to dedicate to their ancestors and pray for longevity, good luck, happiness and prosperity in the New Year.
Traditional New Year is also the time for young girls and boys to gather and play a variety of traditional games, dancing and singing in vicinities of pagodas and tourist resorts throughout the Southeast Asian country. ■
