Happy Khmer New Year: បុណ្យចូលឆ្នាំខ្មែរ
Choul Chnam Thmey – Moha Sankranti: ចូលឆ្នាំថ្មី មហាសង្ក្រាន្តឆ្នាំថ្មី
Khmer New Year ( បុណ្យចូលឆ្នាំខ្មែរ ) in Khmer is called Chaul Chnam Thmey ( ចូលឆ្នាំថ្មី ឬ មហាសង្ក្រាន្តឆ្នាំថ្មី ) which means enter the new year. Traditionally it coincides with the solar new year and marks the end of the harvest before the beginning of the rainy season and is celebrated over a three-day period. This year is the Year of the Tiger so expect to see some fighting back to make the world a better place.
Have you ever wondered why it is celebrated over 3 days? Let’s find out.
Day 1: Moha Sangkran មហាសង្រ្កាន្ត
Moha Sangkran commemorates the day of creation.
Khmer tradition honors the creation of the world by God’s angels and as a way to welcome the angels you are encouraged to:
- clean and illuminate houses and spaces with candles & incense sticks
- dress up to place an idol of Buddha on an altar & pay homage 3 times in front of it
- wash your face in the morning, chest at noon and feet in the evening for good luck
Day 2: Veareak Vanabat វារ:វ័នបត
Vanabat (also known as Veareak Vanabat) is a time to think of and help the less fortunate. You are encouraged to:
- do charity work and offer assistance to those less fortunate
- pay respect to your ancestors with a visit to a monastery
- exchange gifts with family members (especially those less fortunate)
Day 3: Veareak Leang Saka វារៈឡើងស័ក
Veareak Laeung Sak’ is the day when Buddhists (and others) are encouraged to wash and clean statues of Buddha with scented water. This ritual is done to symbolically wash away the bad actions of the past year and to bring longevity, good luck, happiness and prosperity in life. It is also believed that this practice ensures Cambodia receives all the water it needs for the coming year. On this day you are encouraged to:
- wash and clean statues of Buddha with scented water
- children will often ‘wash’ their parents and grandparents
- this is done in return for blessings and good advice for the future
other customs and games for Khmer New Year
The Khmer New Year has many traditions, rituals and celebrations. Here are some of them that you may wish to do this year:
- place offerings of food and flowers on a table dedicated to your ancestors
- make a sand hillock (mostly done at temples)
- dress up in traditional Khmer garments
- prepare kralan ក្រឡាន: a roasted cake made from steamed rice, beans & coconut
- play games and spend time with those important people in your life
Khmer New Year will be officially celebrated this year (after 2 years of no celebrations due to Covid-19) from Thursday to Saturday 14-16 April, 2022. The government encourages all eligible people to get vaccinated and take preventative measures to minimise the spread of the virus. So this year, please celebrate, dance and enjoy time with your friends and family, but remember to do so safely. From the team at QLM Cambodia we wish you and your loved ones a very Happy Khmer New Year.
