1.
MV Band heading procession
0.06

2.
SV & CU Boy soldiers with family (3 shots)
0.14

3.
MV Dancers and band in procession (2 shots)
0.22

4.
MV Officials set incense sticks in stand as procession marches past (3 shots)
0.38

5.
SV PAN..INTERIOR..Buddhist monks chanting and Chief Monk sprinkling water for blessing (5 shots)
1.02

6.
SV Folk dancer
1.09

7.
GV & MV Preparation of food with dancers looking on (4 shots)
1.25

8.
SV & CU Folk dancers
1.47

9.
MV Members of band
1.50

10.
CU TILT UP..dancer and band (2 shots)
2.02

11.
MV & GV Dancers continue as crowds look on (3 shots)
2.16



Initials ES. 1000 ES. 1015



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: In the Watt Phnom district of Phnom Penh, the annual Water Festival took place on Saturday, April 15. Before the start of the Festival itself, groups representing the city's different districts take three turns around Watt Phnom, lighting incense sticks and placing them in the sand.

The Chief Monk blesses the people taking part in the Festival - sprinkling them with water from a flower vessel. Then representatives of each group in turn sprinkle a water blessing on the Buddha.

Folk dancing the traditional music are also part of the festivities.

SYNOPSIS: A folk band leads the procession at the start of the annual Water Festival in the Watt Phnom district of Phnom Penh, in the Khmer Republic.

Groups representing the various districts of the city, circle Watt Phnom three times - officials placing incense sticks in the sand, before the start of the Festival itself. (PAUSE). Then, as the Buddhist monks chant, the Chief Monk sprinkles water on the participants, blessing them.

As the dancers and musicians get ready to take part in the festivities, other citizens prepare the food for the entertainers and the public.

Then came the highlight of the day - the dancers began the traditional dancer.