Cambodia grinds to a halt to welcome new Year of the Pig

Apr 14, 2007, 7:39 GMT

Phnom Penh - Cambodia began three days of intense partying Saturday as people welcomed the new Year of the Pig and said goodbye to the Year of the Dog.

The goddess Mohatearak Devi, who sits astride the divine pig which will rule the heavens for the coming year, arrived just after midday, according to astrologers.

In between parties, games and traditional dances, Cambodians made traditional offerings of meats, fruits, incense and other delicacies of the goddess and prayed for good luck and good fortune for the coming year.

But Royal Palace astrologer Im Borin said the new year will bring some hardships, with a poor rice crop, stormy weather and a 'big problem in Phnom Penh' predicted in the coming months.

It will be a good year for women however, according to the venerable soothsayer, with the wives of high officials generally content and the nation's legion of waitresses in line for prosperity and property.

Although Khmers have recently adopted the practice of throwing powder and water from neighbouring Thailand, which also celebrates a lunar new year at this time, authorities have frowned on the practice, calling it 'un-Cambodian' and have warned it will not be tolerated throughout most of the capital.

However roads have been choked in recent days with Cambodians cramming onto public transport in an effort to reach their provincial family homes to celebrate the season with loved ones and friends, and the capital appeared largely deserted Saturday.

The three-day celebrations represent one of the most important social and religious events in the Cambodian calendar and the country grinds to a halt until next Tuesday, when the holiday officially ends.