Kampong Khleang

Kampong Khleang is a fishing village on Tonle Sap Lake's edge in central Cambodia. This lake undergoes dramatic seasonal transformation—during dry season (November-May), water levels drop significantly; during rainy season (June-October), the lake expands massively as Mekong floodwaters reverse flow into Tonle Sap, raising water levels by 2-3 meters.

Kampong Khleang's architecture adapts to these extremes: houses built on tall stilts stand above dry ground half the year and rise from water the other half. During floods, boats become primary transportation; during dry months, residents walk muddy pathways between elevated homes.

The village maintains traditional fishing practices largely unchanged for generations. Life revolves around the lake's rhythms—casting nets, processing catch, repairing boats, and adapting to seasonal changes that define Tonle Sap communities.

These photographs document Kampong Khleang during dry season, capturing village life, riverside scenes, and the distinctive stilt architecture that makes these communities unique. The images reveal daily routines in a place where existence depends entirely on understanding and adapting to water's seasonal patterns.