柬埔寨洞里萨湖居民生活

A Day in the Lives of People from Tonle Sap Lake

Cambodia, 2019

Have you ever wondered how people live in Cambodia? At first glance, it may seem like they lead a modest life, but that's not entirely true. Cambodians prefer not to splurge on lavish homes, yet many of them own the latest iPhone model and have expensive cars.​​​​​​​

Cambodia is a land of contrasts, and this narrative will allow you to peer into the everyday sequestered lives of people from Tonle Sap Lake. The primary feature of this settlement is, of course, the lake, around which everything here is built.

Let's delve deeper into the routines of the lake's residents, starting from their homes and concluding with their means of transportation and livelihood. In almost every waterborne house, you'll find a television with more than seventy channels and various household appliances. But where does the electricity come from? It's ingeniously simple: solar panels on the roof or a nearby battery. Unlike solar panels, batteries require regular recharging. Experienced local entrepreneurs step in to help with this. Some families own generators and provide the settlement with electricity, serving their neighbors.

Life on the lake is nothing like conventional neighborhoods. At any moment, they can change location by raising and moving anchor. Consequently, the settlement afloat has no streets or house numbers, as they are constantly on the move.

To avoid seasickness, local residents prefer to sleep in hammocks, creating balance while their homes sway on the water. This sleeping method requires skill to wake up without any unpleasant sensations the next morning.

Fishing is the main source of income. The fish caught here are sent to Thailand. In addition, locals cultivate rice and breed shrimp in small branches with buoyant styrofoam rafts anchored around the settlement.

In the photo bellow, where children are enjoying themselves in a circle of friends, you can see the local school. Here, children are taught to read and do math, supporting the education of the population. But how do the children get to school? When a child is born, they are given a basin which they use to move around the city. Thus, all children are capable of independently reaching the school and receiving an education.

People from Tonle Sap have been rowing since childhood, which is why their hands are very muscular. However, their legs are significantly less developed, making it difficult for them to venture into the city, and they do so rarely. Virtually all the necessary goods for life can be purchased at the local supermarket on the water, which is also owned by one of the entrepreneurial families.

However, children are more active and leave the water to play on the ground with friends. They have a perfect place for that nearby the village.

As for religion, there are two impressive yellow Buddhist temples and one Vietnamese Catholic church on the premises. The residents of Tonle Sap are educated and spiritually developed. They maintain a harmonious atmosphere in their settlement and serve as a wonderful example of a balanced and tranquil life.