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Cambodian New Year, also known as Choul Chnam Thmey in the Khmer language, signifies the end of the harvest season and the beginning of a new year. It usually falls on April 13th or 14th, depending on the ancient horoscope "Maha Songkran," aligning with the end of the harvesting season.
The celebration is rooted in Buddhist traditions and is believed to have been influenced by the Brahmanism culture before Buddhism was adopted in Cambodia. It aligns with the traditional solar new year observed in several parts of South and Southeast Asia.
During this time, Cambodians engage in various traditional practices:
Cleaning and Decorating: Families clean and decorate their homes, often using flowers and garlands. They believe that cleaning sweeps away bad luck from the previous year.
Offerings at Temples: People visit local temples to make offerings, pray for good luck, health, and prosperity for the coming year. This practice is also a way to honor their ancestors.
Games and Entertainment: Traditional games are played during New Year celebrations. These can include games like "Bos Angkunh," a game using inedible fruits called "Angkunh," "Leak Kanseng" (a twisted towel dance game), and various others.
New Year's Eve: On New Year's Eve, people prepare food offerings for monks.
New Year's Day: On the first day of New Year, people perform good deeds such as giving charity.
Second Day: The second day is dedicated to offering gifts to parents, grandparents, elders, and teachers.
Third Day: On this day water blessings are performed by gently pouring water over elders; sometimes fragranced water mixed with petals is used.
Angel Ceremony (Pithi Srang Preah): An important part of Khmer New Year is welcoming new angels each year. People prepare a banquet for these angels at home to gain blessings.
Apart from engaging in traditional games and temple visits:
They spend time with family members coming together for feasts.
Friends exchange gifts as a means of strengthening their bonds.
Many Cambodians living abroad return home during this period to celebrate with loved ones.
Cambodian New Year is an occasion marked by joyous festivities reflecting both religious devotion and communal merrymaking that serves to welcome a hopeful future while respecting age-old customs.
