- Title: CAMBODIA: International Kite Festival held in Koh Kong province
- Date: 6th January 2010
- Summary: VILLAGER HAY YIENG AND OTHER PEOPLE WATCHING KITE CONTEST (SOUNDBITE) (Khmer) 55-YEAR-OLD VILLAGER, HAY YIENG, SAYING "I used to see our elders make and fly their kites attached with the 'Ek' in the olden times and it sounded beautiful especially at night. Now there's little wind and the kites can't fly, how can we hear the sound of the 'Ek' so that our children can hear and know it?" CHILDREN WATCHING AND CLAPPING
- Embargoed: 21st January 2010 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Cambodia
- Country: Cambodia
- Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz
- Reuters ID: LVANF9CXO28ZCR6AUCNACDO2XO5
- Story Text: Cambodia's long lost traditional art of kite flying was revived on Wednesday (January 6) as the Southeast asian country hosted the International Kite Festival in Koh Kong province.
Participants from 22 provinces and eight countries, including China, France, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Sweden, participated in the festival that was organised by the Cambodian Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts and the Koh Kong provincial authority.
Koh Kong, located in Southwestern Cambodia, some 280 kilometres from the capital Phnom Penh, is thought of as the most beautiful coastal province in the country, and organisers hope the festival will promote tourism in the sea-side town.
The traditional khmer kite, known as "Kleng Ek", has a sounding bow at the top of the kite, which makes a low humming musical sound when flown.
Khmer kites, originating around 400BC, were traditionally flown during harvesting season.
Kite flying was stamped out during the Khmer Rouge-era, and many Cambodians are happy that the age old tradition is being revived.
"I used to see our elders make and fly their kites attached with the 'Ek' in the olden times and it sounded beautiful especially at night. Now there's little wind and the kites can't fly, how can we hear the sound of the 'Ek' so that our children can hear and know it," said 55 years-old villager, Hay Yieng.
In the past, straight hard bamboo were used to make the skeletons of the kite, while tree leaves were weaved together to form the kite bodies.
Fourty-eight year old kite flyer and maker, Sim Sarath, said he made his kite using traditional methods passed on from his master.
"I made it following my master in the olden times. The kite represents our unforgettable culture," said Sarath.
A khmer kite cost about 200,000 riels (US$50) to make.
Organisers of the kite flying contest noted that winds were not very strong this season and will not be judging on the 'Ek' sound. Instead they will be judging the kites based on two criterias instead of three, beauty and flying technique.
The winner of the contest, to be chosen on Thursday (January 7) will win 800,000 riels (US$200) .
"I'm very happy, even though there was not enough wind to fly the kites, but all of them could fly. Especially the children whom we hope that they will continue to keep this kite flying culture in the future," said event organiser from the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, Sim Sarak.
Cambodians believe that flying "Kleng Ek", a symbol of the Khmer culture, represents peace and happiness for them as well as friends across the world.
Khmer kites have been flown in kite festivals all over the world including Brunei, China, France, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, United Kingdom and Vietnam. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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