Cambodia Traditions
It is impossible to photograph military installations and facilities, airports and railway stations. Before photographing churches and people, especially monks, should first ask for permission.National character Rouge are widely known - it is quiet and reserved people who have some inclination to dalliance, respecting the king and his country, and true believers are Buddhists. They are very tolerant of dissent or ignorance of local laws, but it is recommended not to neglect their patience. Most of them emphatically do not accept alcohol and drugs, but this applies mostly only "European products." Some Cambodians, especially women, constantly chewing betel. And men use chewing tobacco or various local herbs that have a weak narcotic effect.
The sense of collectivism in Khmer, in the opinion of many researchers, is very similar to the Japanese. It is very noticeable community and even some clan. The institution of family and religious traditions are particularly honored. "Wat" or "Wat" (temple) is the center of any of the Cambodian countryside. Usually Wat is a temple or pagoda itself, surrounded by a wall, a small "holy place" with Buddha statues, a pond and the residential area, which is inhabited by monks. Typically, the temple contains the care of primary school, which taught the village children.
When the Kampuchean youth turns 16 years old, he goes to church and live a monastic life for several years. The purpose of this practice is to teach young people the basics of Buddhism, to raise the level of a man who is considered, respectively, raises the status of man in the "next life", after the rebirth. If staying in a monastery, young people spend their time in work, prayer, reflection and study. Therefore, the subsequent close relationship rights and religious precepts, so typical for Cambodia, becomes understandable.
At the entrance to the temples to respectfully refer to the monks and Buddha images, as well as make donations through churches. Bypass the temple should be clockwise. Photograph places of worship and local residents should only be asking the permission (in most cases need to pay for it).
Cambodians traditionally greet each other shaking hands and bowing, similar to the Thai gesture of "wai", but lately Rouge increasingly just shake hands. Women use the traditional greeting among themselves, and in communicating with men. When visiting a private home, office or organization decided to give a small gift.
When visiting the country should be aware that the Rouge decided to show his anger or rage (which means "loss of face"), to touch someone else's head (especially children) to show on any finger, give and take that any two hands (it can only do a clean right hand), putting feet on the table to show or companion foot (feet due to the constant contact with the ground are considered "unclean") and lift up your thumb (in Khmer is considered sexual gesture) .
Dress code in most cases quite informal. Both men and women in everyday life are a sarong made of cotton or mixed fabric. Silk sarongs dress up on holidays or used in everyday wear fairly advantaged people. In cities everywhere are ordinary pants and dresses are cut wide, covering most of the body. In formal occasions, such as religious festivals or family celebrations, women often are "Hoi" (shirt special cut), but mostly women dressed very modestly.
Tourists are recommended to wear light clothing - trousers (not shorts and mini skirts!) And long-sleeved shirts, especially when visiting religious sites. In all other cases, short-sleeved shirt and free-style clothes are acceptable.
The security situation in Cambodia is ambiguous. The country remains in the hands of the huge number of automatic weapons in the woods somewhere hiding quite dead troops of the Khmer Rouge and bandits, and the number of remaining mines from the war is huge (in the year they undermined up to 2000 people). However, the situation has improved considerably over the past few years - an area once controlled by the Khmer Rouge, the troops cleared of bandits (small groups of their recorded only in the area Patanakiri and Stung Treng), the minefields are gradually removed with the assistance of foreign experts or marked with red flags and boxes (in the tourist area had been cleared of mines), the police and the army be tolerated manifestations of armed extremism (which is understandable - too much cost the country years of social experiments, the Khmer Rouge).
Crimes involving weapons are most frequent in Phnom Penh and reach a peak during the festivals and other celebrations. But even in this case the threat is low, because most armed bandits attract money, but not life be attacked. The adoption of a few simple precautions can reduce the risks - you should not go out alone after dark, do not need to carry a passport, a large sum of money or other valuable items (it is recommended to carry an amount not exceeding $ 10). It is recommended for travel around the city to use motorikshu or taxi, and choose their employees on the recommendation of the hotel. With the threat of attack in order to plunder it is recommended not to resist, and escape, and quietly give the desired raiders. Life as we know, expensive.
On the streets you can always see a lot of representatives of the civil and military police. In some cases, the behavior of local police is persistent association with the local gangsters, but in most cases, the representatives of the civil police (uniform blue or khaki) are polite to tourists and trying to help. With representatives of the military police (black and white armbands) to deal more complicated. In any case, should carry a photocopy of your passport card or a guest of the hotel.
Holidays and days off:
Lovers of Asia are waiting here unusual Buddhist monuments, impenetrable tropical forests, savanna with sparse vegetation, and dilapidated wooden huts miraculously survived the genocide of the poor peasants. Cambodia - a country of ancient civilization, which seemed to sprout through the thickets of green trees and silently looks at our contemporaries eyes stone statues of Buddha.
Nearly half the country is forested, with most of them - the thick tropical rain forests. Forests play an important role in the economic life of the country. Coverage of past forest alluvial plains is now fully converted to plantations of rubber trees, teak, cardamom, grain fields or groves of papaya and banana.
Tours in Cambodia is not yet the most popular in the world, but soon this country promises to become one of the most popular destinations. Holiday in Cambodia is still somewhat exotic, so hurry to catch the moment when this country is not "settled" tourists.
National holiday:
The most popular is the holiday of remembrance of the dead - Prochum Ben. By this ceremony are very careful, because during the reign of Pol Pot in every family lost someone close. This holiday begins on the first day of the waning moon of the month - Photrobot. According to legend, during the waning moon, when the sky is cloudy and the nights are getting darker, Yama - the king of the dead - frees the souls of the dead, and they temporarily live among the people. First of all the souls of the dead are sent to the pagoda, and if you do not find them in the traditional offerings, the family curse. The main component of offerings - Fig.
To date, the revived many religious holidays are saved and some rituals, such as ritual prevention and the expulsion of disease.
Festivals
The system of celebrations in the country rather extensive and complicated. Many people living in the territory of Cambodia, even the same religious holidays are celebrated in different ways and often - at different times. Ethnic Chinese and Vietnamese celebrate Lunar New Year (Tet) in late January or early February, and Rouge - in the middle of April. Celebrating Chnam-Tmay falling at the beginning of the monsoon season - one of the most colorful events of the country. In these days Rouge constructing sand hills - a symbol of Buddhist stupas, (it is believed that each grain of sand in the hill saves from sins), do lots of colorful parades and costumed performances. Immediately after Chnam-Tmay, in early May, is the famous Royal arable ceremony Chat Pre-Nangkal near the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh.
In February, the festival is held Mik-Bochea. May 3 celebrate Buddha's Birthday (Visaka Bucha-or-Visaka Puja). In July-September is the Buddhist Lent. In early September, spend a holiday of remembrance of the dead Prochum Ben (Pcham-Ben) - one of the most respected Khmer festivals dedicated to the ancestors. In October is a religious festival Bonn-Katem. The most important festival of the Khmer calendar - a three-day "Water Festival" Bom Om Tuk, is held at the end of the rainy season (in early or mid-November). This is the best time to visit Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. November 10-11, passes music-light show Hideki-toga ( "Banquet of God").