We are at the beginning of April, and Cambodians, gearing up for Chaul Chnam Khmer, are preparing to celebrate the most important traditional event: the New Year!
Also called « Chaul Chnam », this celebration takes place during the fourth month of the year, the date being selected according to the ancient horoscope. For the beginning of the year Momei (Horse), let’s meet on the 13th of April, for 3 days of festivities.
Chaul Chnam Khmer: April’s Rain-Free Celebration
There was a time when the New Year was celebrated in November or December. But it was changed by the Khmer King Suriyavaraman II in the 13th century, because most of the population was composed of farmers who were working during that period (rice growing). Therefore it was decided to celebrate in April, a month with no rain.
Originally from Brahmanism, the New Year festivities, known as Chaul Chnam Khmer, start with the “Moha Sangkran” at the sound of bells and drums. For this first day, inhabitants prepare meals with drinks to welcome tevodas, some charitable deities. By the way, they prepare a special table with flowers and sacred gifts to make the new tevoda feel comfortable and replace the ancient one. Skilled hands adorn all shrines with stunning red, orange, and yellow garlands, creating a captivating visual delight. This is where families go to pray and meditate, and where they offer flowers, incenses and food. Then they have to prostrate themselves three times before Buddha’s image to pay homage to him. Later will be the ritual of the 5 hillocks of rice, each of them representing a footstep of Buddha.
On the 2nd day, known as “Voreak Wanabat” or Chaul Chnam Khmer, the focus is on gifts! The Cambodians hold the tradition of offering presents, with a special emphasis on the youths who joyfully give thoughtful gifts to their respected elders. The atmosphere becomes more and more convivial, with traditional games and dancing in the purpose to get boys and girls together through activities, the most popular being the Roam Vong. The festivities are continuing at the shrines with rice donations to the monks. Then, people erect sand hillocks to bring health and joy to everyone.
Purifying Water Traditions
The 3rd day, “Leung Sakk” is officially the first day of the New Year. Cambodians practice a ritual called Pithy Sroang Preah: they wash the sacred statues of Buddha with perfumed water, because water permits to purify them. This is also the reason why the Cambodians splash each other, which is a very popular game for children who love to perpetuate this tradition. Ultimately, someone releases a few birds that they initially bought at the market.
In some regions of Cambodia, the festival of the New Year continues with popular games. Some people even decide to go to Angkor in pilgrimage, to be able to see the ancestral temples. Some customs can vary from one region to another. However, they all share a common goal: preserving the past and creating unforgettable memories.
By Marine Le Bec
Sources :
Aide aux démunis du Cambodge, article : « Bonne année du Serpent ! Chnam Masagn » (2013) : http://actionsaidescambodge.unblog.fr/2013/04/14/bonne-annee-du-serpent-chnam-masagnn/
Phnom-Penh.biz : « Nouvel An khmer au Cambodge » (2012) : http://www.phnom-penh.biz/restonet/pp/annuaire.nsf/webpages/nouvel_an_khmer_2550.html
