Cambodia 2006, Part 3: The Fire King
The first part of our Cambodia trip involved some site-seeing. Most of this took place far up in the north of Cambodia, in the Siem Reap province. While we were there we spent some time at the Cambodia Cultural Village. And it was here that I learned, first hand, all about the Cambodian FIRE KING.
This is how it happened. My friends and I were with a crowd of 500
or so Cambodians and internationals watching one of the short Cambodian
culture plays/exhibits. The best I could tell, the people who were
dancing around with skirts, spears, and painted faces were performing
for us a little diddy about the ancient kings who used to rule the
kingdom of Cambodia. It was mildly entertaining. But, all of a sudden,
a group of these warrior men singled me out from the audience, grabbed
me and hoisted me upon their shoulders, and took me into a mysterious hut.
There in the dark, damp hut two young Cambodian girls spoke to me in
their native Khmer language and a little bit of broken English. This
pair informed me that I was now designated as the Cambodian King of
Fire. They then began to hand to me and put on me various bits and
pieces of Fire King garb. I was given a stylish and feathery red vest,
spears and such, several assorted yellow arm bands, a curly Cambodian
wig, and a large Viking-esque helmet. Next I was given instructions
which I could barely understand of how I was to act out the Fire King
part once the men came back to fetch me from my kingly hut. Best I
could understand, my job was to sit on my throne and look kingly and to
periodically look into the fire, raise my weaponry into the air, and
shout “Uuuuudaaaahhh” to the top of my lungs. So, that’s what I did.
As far as I could tell, the crowd appreciated my performance. I had the
pleasure of posing in many photos for many Cambodians. I was told I
looked like a Cambodian Conan the Barbarian. Perhaps when I retire the
Cambodian Cultural Village might ask me to be a regular stand in for
this role.
To the Fire King:
I don’t like the idea of retiring in Cambodia. But, let’s definitely visit together so you can introduce me to the people who bow down to you in reverence.
Wait–does this mean that our son will now be born into a kingly blood line? Who would have fathomed that the course of his life would be so altered by your first trip to Asia…
Wow Justin, I like the wig…pretty cool!
