Introduction
Because there is no rain and it gets quite hot in April, Khmer people may find free time. This allows Khmer farmers to take a vacation after working very hard to pick rice crops from their fields to earn money. As a result, April is the best month for Cambodian Khmer to celebrate the New Year.
Cambodia celebrates Khmer New Year, also known as Cambodian New Year, as a three-day public holiday. It is known as “Chaul Chnam Thmey” in Khmer, which means “begin the new year.” It is rooted in the ancient solar new year, which was celebrated in India and Asia. It occurs on the 13th or 14th of April.
What is Khmer New Year?
Cambodians have a lot of vacations throughout the year. The Khmer New Year is the most important. It is observed for three days, beginning on the 13th or 14th of April, when the harvesting season comes to an end. The Khmer New Year is a special occasion for Cambodians to spend time with their families, friends, and community. It is a Buddhist festival that is observed across Cambodia (“What is Khmer new year?,” 2020).
So, how does the Khmer New Year take place? Each day has its own set of customs.
Maha Songkran (Day 1)
The first day of Songkran is known as Maha Songkran. People place fruit in front of their houses as a tribute to the gods on the first day of the Khmer New Year. They think that the new gods will come to eat the fruits and bless the house with their benefits.
Virak Vanabat (Day 2)
The second day is known as Virak Vanabat. People visit their relatives on the second day, giving gifts to their parents, having a pleasant meal with them, or going somewhere together.
Vearak Loeng Sak (Day 3)
The third day is known as Vearak Loeng Sak. People often send food to the pagoda for their ancestors who have passed away throughout the three days (“What is Khmer New Year?,” 2020).
Khmer New Year’s customs
On the grounds of temples, people construct sand hillocks. They construct a big pointed sand mound or dome in the center to represent Valuka Chaitya, the Tavatimsa stupa where the Buddha’s hair and diadem are buried. The Buddha’s favorite pupils are Sariputta, Moggallana, Ananda, and Maha Kassapa, and their stupas are surrounded by four smaller ones. For Srang Preah (Sráng Preăh), another rite that entails pouring water or liquid plaster, a mix of water and chalk powder, on elderly relatives or people, mostly the younger generation is responsible for pouring the water (“Cambodian New Year,” 2004).
The Khmer New Year is also a time for unique foods to be prepared. A “kralan” (krâlan) is a cake made from cooked rice, beans or peas, shredded coconut, and coconut milk. The mixture is placed inside a bamboo stick and gently baked (“Cambodian New Year,” 2004).
Traditional games
Cambodia has a number of traditional games (Lbêng Prâchéaprey) that are performed to turn ordinary days into memorable ones. These games resemble those played in Manipur, India’s northeastern state. During the Khmer New Year, street corners are generally busy with friends and family taking a break from their daily routines by dancing and playing games. Khmer games are typically used to preserve mental and physical agility (“Cambodian New Year,” 2004).
Teang Prut, Chaol Chhoung, Bos Ongkunh, Leak Konsaeng, Domderm Sluk Chaue, Sdach Jung, Kuorng/Ktey, Klaeng Jab Kone Mun, and Baykhom are some of the traditional games performed during the Khmer New Year. Many of these games are played not only during New Year’s Eve parties but also at other events (see “5 activities to do during Khmer new year in Siem Reap,” n.d.; “Cambodian New Year,” 2004; “Khmer New Year in Cambodia: The most attractive and traditional games,” 2021).
History of Khmer New Year
The Khmer New Year event evolved from Brahmanism, a branch of Hinduism that was the Khmer religion prior to Buddhism. Buddhism then became affiliated with the festival and eventually assumed all of the major roles in the celebration (see Marissa, 2017).
Khmer New Year 2022
Khmer New Year always lasts for three days. In 2022, the Khmer New Year is scheduled to begin on the 14th of April and end on the 16th of April. This celebration is very special. Due to the global widespread of the COVID-19, Cambodia did not celebrate the Khmer New Year in 2020 and 2021. However, in this 2022, Prime Minister Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, has allowed all the Cambodian people to celebrate the New Year. The decision was made following the successful combat of the COVID-19.
According to Khmer Times (2022), Prime Minister Hun Sen has also allowed the people living in four provinces, namely Ratanakkiri, Mondulkiri, Stung Treng, and Preah Vihear to lift mandatory mask wearing. However, the people living in other territories still need to be careful with COVID-19 because it has not completely left Cambodia yet.
Table 1: Starting day of Khmer New Year from 2001 until 2050
