Bon Om Touk

One of the big holidays here in Cambodia is the Water Festival.   It comes at the end of November.  The Water Festival celebrates the reversal of the Tonle Sap River.  The country comes together and holds boat races in the big river with boats from every province.  The celebration lasts for 3 days and several million people come from all over the world for the festivities.
But not this year. 
The grand festivities were canceled, though it was still a legal holiday, because the country is still in mourning for the old King's passing. 

However, The Church held a big party for members and their guests and our kids were a big part of it.  We spent all morning preparing for the dancing and when we finally got to the Church we were busily making sure all the dancers were traditionally costumed.

 We folded skirts and wound plumerias into the girls' thick hair.  All of the kids were lovely.  Between the traditional performances by CICFO, there were other acts by the missionaries and other Church members.  They performed on the stage in the Chruch's cultural hall and the floor was filled with people who had come for the celebration.
Outside of CICFO, not many kids in Cambodia know the traditional dances.  The kids in CICFO learn them from Pattica who has a Khmer dance teacher.   It is such a great opportunity for these kids to take part in their culture and share it with others.