Pchum Ben Exodus…
This year the Cambodian Government granted three extra free days for the factory workers not working in their home province to go back and forth to their home village for the Pchum Ben celebrations (see more here) and two days to those who have a job in the same province as their village. As a result Phnom Penh empties itself with about half its population, and the economy, save the transport businesses, comes to a standstill for about a week.
Pchum Ben is probably the most important festival for the Khmer, as they pay respect to their ancestors, when the gates of hell are opening and the ghosts of the deceased are particularly active. The spirits are offered food, although these days the food goes to the monks who in turn generate ‘merit’ for the living.
Last year around 25 people died and 200 were injured on the roads during the week-long celebrations.
CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 12/10/2012: Taxi station at Psah Thmey during the Pchum Ben exodus, when people return to their home village to commemorate their deceased.
CAMBODIA. Choam Chao (Phnom Penh). 11/10/2012: Traffic jam during the yearly exodus for ‘Pchum Ben’ when Cambodians commemorate the deceased.
CAMBODIA. Choam Chao (Phnom Penh). 11/10/2012: Waiting for transportation to go back to the home village for ‘Pchum Ben’, celebrate the deceased, and join the traffic jams during the yearly exodus.
CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 12/10/2012: Taxi station at Psah Thmey during the Pchum Ben exodus.
CAMBODIA. Choam Chao (Phnom Penh). 11/10/2012: Young girl buying grapes while waiting for transportation at taxi station before the yearly exodus for ‘Pchum Ben’ when Cambodians commemorate the deceased.
CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 12/10/2012: Family waiting to leave on an 8-hour drive to Preah Vihear at Psah Thmey taxi station to celebrate Pchum Ben at home village.
CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 12/10/2012: Selling eggs and dried banana to people leaving on a 5-hour drive to Kompong Cham to celebrate Pchum Ben at home village.