Cambodia's love, respect for monarch evident at cremation

The clouds of smoke rose into the dark sky of Phnom Penh, the earsplitting artillery salute was sounded and people were weeping. Everyone here knew the King-Father Norodom Sihanouk had just finished his last journey.

When Sihanouk's son and successor, King Norodom Sihamoni, and Queen-Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk lit the funeral flame, the culmination of the 100 days since the King-Father died finally came.

Only those who had received an invitation to the funeral, including the country's elite and foreign dignitaries ― no more than 3,000 people ― were allowed inside the cremation grounds. Yet mourners gathered in the square nearest the area, pressing their palms together and praying.

On the street, motorbikes slowed, some stopped, for a glimpse of the fuzzy and loud live report on the screen.

All this told us what the King-Father meant to Cambodia and its people.

"The King-Father is devoted to the people and helped us get peace and independence. I wish he could be together with us forever," said Chan Tra, a local resident in his 50s.

Not only the older generation, which has had some ups and downs with Sihanouk, feel warmth and respect for him. Young people are also inspired by the admiration their parents or grandparents felt for him.

"I might not have experienced those old days, but I have learned about the King-Father, how he achieved independence for Cambodia and how he cared about his people, and he earned my respect," said Veasna Choabmeta, 19, a student with Royal University.

What people could not figure out at such splendid funeral is the careful planning behind the stages and their three months non-stop preparation by heart.

The preparation work began even before the King-Father's body left Beijing, to make sure the funeral would be a combination of Royal Palace tradition and Cambodian culture, said Mias Sawut, 43.

Being a member of an orchestra of traditional Khmer pinpeat musicians, Sawut got the chance to enter the crematorium itself, along with courtiers dressed in pantaloons and soldiers in 19th-century-style uniforms with spiked helmets and swords. "We have practiced since the death of the King-Father," he said, adding he is honored to be part of the ceremony.

"This is the honor, the responsibility, and I will do whatever I can to send him off to the better world," he said.

The cremation took place north of the Royal Palace, and such a placement represents upward ascension to the next world. It started with 90 prestigious Buddhist monks chanting around the flower-decorated golden coffin.

In the coming days, some of the King-Father's ashes will be scattered in the Mekong River, while the rest will be kept in a diamond-decorated urn at the palace.

Contact the writer at qinjize@chinadaily.com.cn