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Source
: khmer Tales, Volume 6, Buddhism Institute, ministry of Cults
and Religion.
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Yeakh Laom
in Khmer literally means surrounded by giants. In
the Khmer language, Yeakh means giant(s) and Laom
means to surround. Yeakh Laom Lake is located northeast
of Cambodia in the district of Banlung in Ratanak
Kiri province. About 4 kilometers from town, the
center of the Yeakh Laom Lake is approximately 80
meters in depth; its surface looks somewhat like
a frying pan surrounded by mountains.
This is due to its near perfect circular shape.
Despite the legends, researchers believe that the
lake was born out of a volcano many centuries ago.
Whatever the case may be, the lake remains one of
the most interesting places to visit in the province
of Ratanak Kiri. |
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The name Yeakh
Laom has made many people wonder what might have truly
happened before that such a beautiful place should be
named so. There are a few legends, but the following are
what most people would tell to their grandchildren when
recounting one of the many legends. A long time ago, there
was a giant king who was very powerful and feared by his
subjects. He had a daughter whose beauty captivated everyone
from far and near. The princess's hair exuded a certain
inexplicable fragrance that attracted many suitors to
flock to the vicinity. Before retiring in the evenings,
the princess had a habit of brushing her hair at her window
and many people would crowd just to enjoy her scent.
The giant king named her Neang Sork Kro Oub (Lady with
fragrant hair). One day, a dynamic young man from a distant
town arrived at the city and was mystified by her fragrance.
In the breeze that blew from the direction of the palace,
the young man caught the fragrance and was enchanted.
He rushed to woo the giant's daughter fearlessly. The
princess accepted his advances and they fell in love.
They feared the giant king knowing for sure that he would
not permit them to marry since the man was only a commoner,
the couple decided to elope into the thick forest.
When the giant king knew that his daughter had fled the
palace with a man, he was very angry and immediately mobilized
his forces to hunt down the couple in the forest. The
troops arrived at forest but could not find anyone there.
Adamant to seek out the couple, the giant king ordered
his giants to surround the forest and systematically moved
inward pulling out all the trees as they closed in. When
they were still unable to find the couple, the king ordered
for them to dig into the ground as well. The giant troops
kept digging and digging but were unable to find the couple
all the same. Soon after they had retreated, rain fell
and filled the place where they dug with water and the
place became what it is until today, the Yeakh Laom Lake.
Another legend has it that the couple were so terrified
by the surrounding troop of giants and realizing that
there was no way for them to escape, they both knelt to
pray for the gods of the territory for help. The begged
to disappear into the ground and the grounds opened from
underneath them, taking the couple to obscurity.
Then the heavens roared and rain fell and the place became
Lake Yeakh Laom ever since. |
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