Festivals in Cambodia
Cambodia is reputed to have some of the most interesting local and international festivals.
During the festive periods, the ordinary people living in the villages normally visit the capital city to participate and watch the well co-ordinated fireworks, and other events that characterise these festivals.
“display their traditional values”
These festivals bring the people together and instil in them a spirit of national unity. Festivals afford them the opportunity to display their traditional values to the entire world. Most Cambodians look forward to each celebration with no small amount of enthusiasm.
Even during times of economic hardship and political turmoil, the people try their best to observe and celebrate these festivals in an interesting and flamboyant manner.
Their major religions, namely Buddhism and Hinduism, characterise these festivals. Important festivals celebrated during the years include the following:
Khmers New Years Day
This festival signifies the turn of the year founded on the ancient Khmer calendar. It marks the end of the harvest season and is one of the happiest times of the Cambodians. They decorate their homes in order for the heaven God to be happy with them. They also bless passers by with ritual water. This particular festival takes place during the month of April.
Pchum Ben
This is the most spiritually and culturally important festival of the year. It is called the festival of souls. This is because it has to do with blessing of the souls of the dead; which include ancestors, friends and relatives. Buddhist shrines, particularly Wat Phom are the important places of this festival. Cambodians visit the shrines during this festival to worship and make offerings. It takes place in the month of September.
Water Festival
It is the most flamboyant festival in the calendar. People troop to the shores of Tonle sap and Mekong rivers in Phom Penh to witness the boat racing. This signifies the power of the Khmer Navy during the Khmer empire. It also indicates the changing of direction of the Tonle sap and is believed to be thanksgiving to the Mekong River for giving fertility to the land and providing the nation with fish. This event occurs between October and November.
“in attendance is King Sihanouk”
Angkor Festival
It takes place in November or December. It is a festival of arts with Angkor Wat as the setting. This is one of the most important arts festival of the Asian continent. Performers from different Asian countries do attend. Also usually in attendance is King Sihanouk whenever he is in Siem Reap.
King's Birthday Celebration
Celebrations in honour of the nation's past great King occurs in October or early November. Usually, the King's birthday and water festival take place at the same time. Therefore, there used to be a great number of people celebrating outside the royal palace and the waterfront. People from all over the country travel to the capital for the celebrations. Even villagers who may not have enough means to visit the capital do so in reverence to the King.
“strongly believe in Agrictulture”
Cambodians strongly believe in agriculture. They hold that the Ox plays an important role in determining harvest each year. This event takes place in a park near where the King drives the Ox indicating the act of actual ploughing works in the cultivation of rice. The Ox is usually given foods to eat and seers interpret what the Ox has eaten.
Chinese New Year
Most of the traders in Cambodia have Chinese or Vietnamese origin and so celebrate the Chinese New Year like their kindred in China and Vietnam. Fireworks are usually displayed and families entertain each other in the course of celebration.
There are other important festivals in Cambodia. These include the Independence Day Celebration, National Day, International Halt Marathon, genocide day, Vesak Bucha day, ploughing the Holy furrow and Cholvassa Buddhist lent among others.