The Burmese community in Phnom Penh, Cambodia is small but well organized. Its members stay close and support each other when needed. On a daily basis they meet at their local and only traditional restaurant - Irrawadi. This is also the place hosting their New Year celebrations, which are similar to and same time as the Khmer New Year, in 2010 starting on April 14th. However, Thingyan - the Burmese New Year Water Festival - distinguishes itself from Cambodian tradition. While Khmers festive use of water is basically limited only to ritual ablutions, Burmese are literally soaking themselves in it for three to five days before the New Year's Day for spiritual cleansing and purification. Water-throwing, pouring and dousing are essential and no one is supposed to refuse or get upset. In modern-day Myanmar Thingyan is the biggest annual festival.
On the photograph: a group of young Burmese immigrants dancing on the street and pouring water on each other, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 14.04.2010.
© Grzegorz Ostręga / Babel Images.
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