Khmer people really enjoy their relaxing time of New Year so much; however, what things that they really do for celebration since this festival can be known as the best festival of all? As a sequence, there are 10 facts about Khmer New Year which you will definitely know more about this festival.
- When does this festival occur?
Apparently, Khmer New Year occurs very year in April, especially on the mid of the month. It lasts three days, and each day has its own name. The first day, people call Maha Sangkran. The second day of New Year, it is called Virak Vanabat. The last day, it is called Vearak Loeng Sak.
- Why Khmer New Year is always celebrated on April?
Cambodian follows the time of traditional lunar New Year; therefore, if the one of 12 New Year representative animals moves to the next one, this festival will occur. Besides, it is the month of ending the year in Solar New Year. Additionally, there is also another justification of celebrating in April is that this period is the time is Cambodian finish their work of farming, harvesting, ending dry season, welcoming rainy season, enjoying fruits, and relaxing.
- Representative animals of traditional lunar New Year
The 12 animals are rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, goat, horse, monkey, rooster, dog, pig. Furthermore, this year is the new year of rooster to go over monkey of last year.
- Play traditional games
Since this month is the best month of relaxation, and enjoyment, most of Cambodian gather their families by going to their homelands for reunion. Consequently, the memorable time is playing traditional games, singing, and dancing, together.
- Go to pagoda
During the three days of Khmer New Year, Cambodian always take their morning times of going to pagoda which is near them for serving food to monk because they believe those food will be delivered to their relatives who died, and praying for Buddha.
- The first day
Certainly, Cambodian would do all of fun activities; however, they would never forget the quote of “washing face with holy water in the morning, washing chest in the afternoon, and washing feet at night” in order to have lucks.
- On the last day
The last day of Khmer New Year day is the special day because most of Cambodian go to pagoda in the evening for washing Buddha status, and they believe it would clean all of bad actions. Moreover, after pouring water over Buddha status done, they often spraying the same water from pouring toward each other for either fun, or believing it would bring them lucks.
- At night
At night time is also the most delighted moment because everyone gathers their surroundings for dancing with many types of songs or rhythms such as traditional dance, modern dance, and so on, especially in the provinces, they always go to pagoda or someone’s home for dancing because it has a huge space for many people.
- Making delicious snack
There are many sort of tasty traditional Khmer cake that they often make before or during this festival for both celebrating, and serving to their relatives. In addition, those snack or traditional cake includes Num Angsom, Num Kum, Num Bot, and many more.
- Eating tasty food
After finishing the season of harvesting, most of Cambodian really enjoy this month because they can meet their relatives, have a great time of playing traditional games, and the essential thing is that they would have delicious meal in these three days.
- Wearing traditional clothes
Everyone gets really excited once New Year is coming; hence, they start to buy new clothes, or asking tailors for new traditional clothes because they can wear them in New Year time. However, nowadays, they often wear traditional clothes for going to pagoda in the morning only.