SIEM REAP – In Siem Reap province's Bangkaong village, a vibrant celebration unfolded as locals and tourists alike gathered for the annual fishing festival at held at a protected big lake in Prasat Bakong district. The ceremony is held every year in February after the rice harvest season and with traditional fishing tools, participants eagerly join in the time-honored tradition.

This unique festival has truly captured the hearts of many over the last two years, drawing crowds eager to witness and experience this rich cultural practice.

This year's festivities, carefully planned by Bangkaong village elders, kicked off at the crack of dawn on February 9.  Before the sun even peeked over the horizon, the village chief ignited fireworks, a signal for the villagers to begin the much-anticipated fishing.

While the festival's date fluctuates slightly each year, it's always timed around water levels and the rice harvest, ensuring optimal conditions.

The impressive turnout clearly delighted So Platong, governor of Prasat Bakong district.

The festival is no longer quiet," he remarked. "Local authorities now encourage participation from nearby villages and tourists."

In years past, the fishing was exclusively for Bangkaong villagers, with others relegated to observers.

But Governor Platong sees broader participation as a key ingredient for progress in the district.  “Preserving traditions is essential, but doing so can attract tourists and improve infrastructure,” he explained. “I hope to see villagers earning income by selling food, particularly noodles, near the lake during the festival.”

Prasat Bakong district, rich in cultural heritage, boasts numerous traditions, including this fish-catching festival, which, according to Governor Platong, symbolizes the Lerng Meak spiritual ceremony.  He emphasized the need for more such events to stimulate tourism.

Looking towards the future, the district administration is committed to enhancing the festival experience. Plans are in motion to build roads and public toilets near the conservation lake.

Furthermore, before the rainy season arrives, wooden barriers will be strategically placed in the lake to keep the fish from swimming away.

Embracing Change While Upholding Tradition

The sun wasn’t even up yet, but Pich Khin, chief of Bangkaong village, was already on his way.  He'd been told the fishing festival at the conservation lake would kick off at 7:00 AM, and he wanted to be there.

A half-hour drive later, he arrived at the lake and blinked in surprise. It was a hive of activity.

Cars, packed with people who'd traveled from all over, filled the parking area. Families were unloading tables, plates, pots, and even tents, clearly planning to make a day of it.

As Khin later explained, “After a 30-minute drive, I arrived at the conservation lake and was surprised to see numerous parked cars, who had traveled from distant places. They brought tables, plates, pots, and tents.”

Khin’s gaze swept across the lake. Villagers stood shoulder to shoulder, each holding their traditional fishing tools, a quiet anticipation hanging in the air. They were waiting for the signal, the boom of fireworks that would officially open the fishing.

This year’s catch was impressive, mirroring last year's haul at a solid two tonnes.

Something else was different this year, too. Khin noticed people from neighboring villages joining in the fishing.

It was a departure from tradition, a custom that had long restricted the fishing to Bangkaong villagers only.  But instead of diminishing the experience, this change seemed to inject a new energy into the festival, making it even more vibrant and fun.

As Khin observed, “I observed that people from neighboring villages took part in fishing this year, a break from the village’s long-standing tradition. However, the change created a more fun and livelier atmosphere to the festival.”

A wooden barricade had been placed strategically in the lake, creating a designated area to hold fish for the next day's Lerng Meak ceremony. Any fish caught outside that boundary, though, was fair game for the villagers.

As the fishing wound down, families began to gather. They spread out blankets and shared food they’d brought from home – rice, pots of steaming dishes, the makings of a communal feast.

Some villagers carefully set aside a portion of their catch, knowing it would be used to prepare Khmer noodles for offerings at the pagoda during the Lerng Meak ceremony the following day.

The Sacred History of the Conservation Lake

Kong Pha, a 71-year-old elder, watched the fishing festival unfold from a nearby mat. Her mind drifted back to her own youth, recalling the joy of participating in the same event when she was just 15.

"It was said that animals flying over the water would fall into the lake as villagers believed that powerful Neak Ta spirits safeguard the area," Pha recounted, sharing stories passed down through generations. The lake, it is believed, is protected by these spiritual guardians.

In earlier times, the Lerng Meak ceremony, closely tied to the fishing festival, was held on the eastern side of the lake, home of two revered Neak Ta statues: Neak Ta Beoung and Neak Ta Saron. Today, the ceremony takes place at the pagoda.

This traditional fishing festival serves to honor the good spirits believed to watch over the villagers, ensuring their happiness and bountiful harvests. The villagers hope these benevolent spirits will continue to bless their village in the years to come.

Originally written in Khmer for ThmeyThmey, this story was translated by Rin Ousa for Cambodianess.