Bunong Photography From Mondulkiri, Cambodia
Bunong Kids, Mondulkiri, Cambodia
Many of my friends think of me as a seasoned traveler, but the truth is, I’m not that adventurous. My travels mainly focus on Southeast Asia, and today I want to highlight a lesser-known gem in Cambodia—Mondulkiri Province, located in the east of the country near the Vietnam border. I visited a few years ago and have some photos from that trip to share.
On my first day in the capital, Sen Monorom, I made my way to Bousra Waterfall. It was a stunning spot, made all the more interesting by the sight of local Khmers in traditional ethnic attire posing for photos. During my visit, I also met a well-known blind Bunong musician—though his name escapes me now, I believe he has since passed away. Mondulkiri is home to a large number of ethnic minorities, with the Bunong being one of the most prominent groups.
I spent a few days with a young Bunong student who took me to his village. It was only 25 kilometers away, but the journey took over three hours due to muddy roads. And this wasn’t even during the rainy season. Along the way, we encountered Indian traders, each carrying bundles of fabric on the backs of their motorcycles. I’ve never understood how these men, from Uttar Pradesh, end up in the most remote villages of Cambodia selling their goods.
When we finally reached the village, I was struck by how welcoming the people were—and how photogenic the setting was. I asked my friend if I was the first Westerner to visit, and he replied, “No!” He went on to explain that United Nations officials had come through during the lead-up to the 1993 elections, but that was decades ago. We bombed around that district and visited a few villages. There was a depleted goldmine that the locals were scratching a living from. Incredible forests, all now protected. Hunting is illegal and the laws are followed. The kids are tough; they all work and play very hard. Honestly it reminded me of my youth in rural Ontario, but without the jungle.
Also, I find when I travel, the less lenses I take, the better. For this I took only the Canon 35/1.4 and 135/2.
