Ny comes from a family of fishermen, and she has always sold fish. However, everything changed during the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s when all businesses were forced to shut down. Ny was forced to go to the countryside to work in the fields, while scholars and artists were tragically shot. When Ny described how people could only wear black clothes under the Khmer Rouge rule, I looked around and appreciated the vibrant and cheerful fashion scene in the markets today.
Ny’s market speciality is prahok, a spicy fish that is fermented for up to a year. This cuisine emerged out of necessity, as the preserved fish offers a dependable source of protein during the dry season.
In addition to the atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge, Ny shared numerous other challenges she has faced in her life. Most recently, she has had to cope with the distressing experience of losing all her hard-earned savings due untrustworthy family members.
With more markets popping up in the city, Ny is taking measures to stay competitive and relevant. She explains that her strategy is to present her food more nicely. She is also proud of her unique value proposition that customers recognize: her special family recipe for prahok.
Shopkeeper Stories is a photo-documentary of small business owners and their trades around the world, sharing their insights, stories and views. You can see all the posts on Instagram and Facebook @ShopkeeperStories
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