"Guardian Spirit" ritual celebrated in Cambodia

STORY: "Guardian Spirit" ritual celebrated in Cambodia DATELINE: May 25, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:40 LOCATION: Phnom Penh CATEGORY: SOCIETY/CULTURE SHOTLIST: 1. various of the ritual 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Khmer): CHHUM SOK, Organizer 3. various of a parade 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Khmer): POV PHALLA, Participant 5. various of locals STORYLINE: Dozens of villagers on the northwest outskirts of Phnom Penh in Cambodia painted their faces and bodies and donned grass skirts on Wednesday as they celebrated an annual traditional ritual to ask a "guardian spirit" to bring good fortune and rain for their rice crop. Held at Boeung village, about 25 kilometers from central Phnom Penh, the Guardian Spirit Pring Ka-ek prayer festival was also intended to drive off evil spirits, keeping cattle healthy and rice yields large. Chhum Sok, an 81-year-old veteran member of the festival organizing committee, said the ritual has existed in the village for centuries. SOUNDBITE 1 (Khmer): CHHUM SOK, Organizer "This Guardian Spirit Pring Ka-ek pray