APAD 083: The last day of the King-Father’s funeral
The Royal Palace.
This photo was taken very early this morning, 6am-ish, from the Chroy Changvar peninsula.
The mourners, coming from near and far, are gathered in front of the Palace, wearing black and white. They’re all going to be queueing at the Royal Cremation Pavillion to pay their last respects to the King-Father Norodom Sihanouk. A sombre mood prevails. As there was not a sign of wind, yet the funeral music that is playing is carried over across the river.
As final touches are being made, it is going to be an elaborate cremation ceremony later tonight.
Here’s a short vid clip where you can listen to the funeral music.
APAD 082: Overcast
Today is the first of the 4-day funeral for the King-Father Norodom Sihanouk. It is going to be an elaborate ceremony beginning with a procession that will take the former King’s body from the Royal Palace, where it was lying in state, to a cremation site in front of the National Museum just a block away. Millions of people are expected to attend, most of which come from the countryside. The cremation will be held on on February 4.
This photo was taken one afternoon, one week earlier. The sky was overcast, a crowd of mourners wearing white and black gathered, waiting to be ushered inside the Royal Palace.
An overcast sky. Even the sky is mourning the King Father’s death.
APAD 026: Offerings for the King-Father
Flowers, candles, and prayers for the King-Father. Cambodians light candles and incense sticks and offer prayers and flowers outside of the Royal Palace.
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APAD 023: Signs of mourning
The whole Kingdom of Cambodia woke up to a very, very sad news of the King-Father’s death last Monday.
True, we knew that the former King Norodom Sihanouk was ill eversince he stepped down as King in 2004 but news such as this always comes as a shock.
Yesterday, the King-Father’s body was flown back to Cambodia from Beijing, China where he had resided in the last years receiving medical treatment there.
Yesterday, the King-Father was flown back to Cambodia; he is finally home in his motherland, and with his people.
With this picture (which my brother took yesterday at the Royal Palace), I am going to pursue a different take on the “signs”meme this week.
The whole country is mourning. A sea of people lined up at Phnom Penh’s main thoroughfares to wait for the King-Father’s funeral procession.
Men, women, and children – young and old alike – gathered at the Royal Palace (and the city’s main streets) as early as 11am despite yesterday’s scorching heat. They wore white and black clothes with black ribbons and armbands, a conventional sign of mourning. It was difficult to estimate how many people were on the streets yesterday but it was clearly more than the expected 100,000.
I also observed that there are a lot of young Cambodian males who shaved their heads, such as the one in the picture. Young Buddhist males shaving their heads is a also sign of mourning and respect to the dead, usually an older family member.
I’m sure many of you, by now, have read articles about the King-Father’s colourful, controversial life. I like what my friend said the other day. The King-Father may be all kinds of things but he is larger than life. He really embodied Cambodia, its ups and downs, weaknesses and strengths.
Watching yesterday’s live coverage was very touching and emotional and it gave me goosebumps. No matter how cynical some foreigners may be to the Royal Family, I have seen with my own eyes how the Cambodian people truly, truly love the King-Father.
Cambodians brave the scorching heat to wait for their beloved King-Father’s arrival at the Royal Palace.
Welcome home, King-Father. May you rest in peace.
APAD 169: The Chanchhaya Pavilion, Phnom Penh
This is the Chanchhaya Pavilion, also known as the Moonlight Pavilion ,at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh. It dominates the facade of the Royal Palace along Sothearos Boulevard. Every time I pass by this place, I can’t help but admire the beautiful, distinct Khmer-classical style of architecture of this building.
This open-air pavilion, fronting the river, was originally built as a dance conservatory. It is now used as a venue for banquets and other state functions. On special occasions, locals and tourists alike come here to watch special performances of the Khmer classical dances.
In 2004, the Pavilion was used for a banquet and tribune for the new King Norodom Sihamoni during his coronation. It looks stunning, isn’t it? Have you ever wondered how it looks like at night? It is even more spectacular! If you are interested to see, please click here and here. More about the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh here.
This is my entry to this week’s Our World Tuesday. Click on the logo for more pictures of our world.
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