Everyone your friend at Khmer New Year time for friendship

Higher authority: Cambodian people traditionally go to the pagoda on the first day of the Khmer new year to pray for good health and happiness. — VNS Photo Thanh Hai In the spirit: Cambodians come together to enjoy a traditional game during New Year celebrations History of the festival The Khmer New Year festival originated from Brahmanism, a form of Hinduism which was a major Khmer religion prior to the adoption of Buddhism. Later on, Buddhism became associated with the festival and then adopted all the important roles in the festivities. Maha Songkran – April 14, First Day: The end of the old year and beginning of the new. People dress up, light candles and burn incense sticks at shrines. Members of each family pay homage to offer thanks for Buddha's teaching. For good luck, people wash their faces with holy water in the morning, chests at noon, and feet in the evening before they go to bed. Wanabat – April 15, Second Day: People perform charitable activities for the less fortunate, help the poor, employees, homeless people, and low-income families. Families attend a dedication ceremony in respect of their ancestors at the monastery. Tngay Leang Saka – April 16: Third Day: Buddhists clean Buddha statues and elders with perfumed water. Bathing the Buddha images symbolises the use of water which is needed for all kinds of plants and lives, a kind deed that will bring longevity, good luck, happiness and prosperity in life. By bathing grandparents and parents, children may receive best wishes and good advice for the future. — VNS

By Thanh Hai

Vietnam News

Cambodian people celebrated the Chol Chnam Thmey, the Khmer New Year festival, in an atmosphere rich in family spirit, featuring traditional games over April 14-16.

For Sinh Sophie, 44, a housewife in a poor residential ward of Phnom Penh, the traditional festival is a time to think about her family.

Like many Cambodian people, she woke early on the first day of the new year to clean the ancestral altar, prepare a tray of fruit, flowers, betel and areca, a bowl of water and candles as an offering.

When everything was ready, she burnt incense to pray for happiness and her ancestors. Cambodian people only use fruit in their worship unlike the Vietnamese or the Chinese who also use other kinds of food such as fish and meat.

"I pray for happiness, peace, good health and for my family members," said Sophie.

After a round of incense, her family will use the water from the bowl to wash their faces and hands and feet. Cambodian people believe that the water used to worship their ancestors, will bring them luck and good health.

Cambodian people traditionally go to the pagoda on the first day of the New Year. They express their respects to monks by bringing them a ladle of rice or other food.

Monks use the food offerings, generally everyday food items like rice, soya milk and fruits, to worship their ancestors.

"I asked the monks to pray for my family, they are the most important thing to me," said Sophie. A few days before the New Year, Cambodian people prepare food, clean their house and buy new clothes or items for the home. On the second day, people usually give children new clothes and offer money to their parents and grandparents. They also give gifts to their maids and poor people.

During the New Year holidays, tourists have a chance to enjoy and participate in traditional games that take place in public areas throughout Cambodia. During this third day, the people also play traditional games and traditional dancing such as Rorm Vong and Rorm Khbach.

While well-off people may spend their holidays in resorts, common people find happiness and relaxation in traditional games in their communities.

In Khan Toulkork district of Phnom Penh, local residents invite foreign tourists to join in the festive atmosphere by trying local food and drink and playing games.

Visitors are excited by games like sack racing or blind man's bluff. Awards for the winner include a few thousand Riels and a cool Angkor beer. Local people also put colour powder on faces or splash water in the body of guests instead of best wishes on the occasion of New Year.

"I have never experienced this atmosphere before. Local people are very hospitable and friendly", said a Vietnamese tourist, Du Thi Mai Anh.

"Angkor Wat in Siem Riep; and the Royal Palace or National Museum of Cambodia in Phnom Penh are must-to-see places, but tourists should experience the traditional festive atmosphere during the Khmer new year holiday", added Anh.

Hosts and guests finally mix together in Apsara traditional dance and the applause of onlookers.

Fireworks sparkled brightly in the Phnom Penh night sky. Cambodian people enjoy the festival atmosphere to enjoy the fruits of their harvest and relax before the rainy season begins. — VNS