Khmer New Year, known as Chaul Chnam Thmey (ចូលឆ្នាំថ្មី), is the most important and widely celebrated festival in Cambodia. It marks the traditional Lunar New Year and falls on April 13th or 14th, lasting for three days. This joyful occasion is a time for Cambodians to reunite with family, pay respects to elders and ancestors, and participate in cultural festivities.
Khmer New Year originates from ancient Indian and Buddhist traditions, deeply linked to the solar calendar used in Hindu and Buddhist cultures. It aligns with the end of the harvest season, a time when farmers can take a break from their labor and celebrate their hard work. Historically, this festival was also associated with the Angkorian period, when grand celebrations were held at temples and in communities.
The New Year follows the Sangkran cycle, a tradition rooted in Hindu beliefs, where a celestial angel (Tevada) changes guardianship of the world each year. This belief is derived from the legend of Kabel Moha Prom and his son, Thao Maha Songkran, where a young scholar’s wisdom challenged the gods, leading to the annual changing of the divine protector.
Three Days of Celebration
- Moha Sangkran (មហាសង្រ្កាន្ត) – The first day marks the arrival of the New Year, symbolizing a fresh start. People clean their homes, offer food to monks, and welcome the new guardian angel.
- Virak Vanabat (វិរ:វ័នបត) – The second day is dedicated to acts of charity, honoring ancestors, and performing good deeds such as offering gifts to the elderly and the less fortunate.
- Vearak Loeng Sak (វារៈឡើងស័ក) – The final day is a time for Buddhist ceremonies, the washing of Buddha statues, and the symbolic cleansing of elders with perfumed water to bring blessings for the year ahead.
Traditional Celebrations
- Water and Powder Games – Similar to Thailand’s Songkran, Cambodians celebrate by splashing water, throwing powder, and engaging in friendly fun.
- Baok Ambok (បុកអំបុក) – A traditional rice-flattening ceremony.
- Traditional Khmer Games – Popular games include Chol Chhoung (ចោលជើង), Bos Angkunh (បោះអង្គុញ), and Leak Kanseng (លាក់កន្សែង), played in villages and temples.
- Dancing & Music – Folk dances such as Romvong (រាំវង់) and Rom Kbach (រាំក្បាច់) are performed in public squares.
Khmer New Year is a time of joy, reflection, and cultural pride, bringing communities together to celebrate their heritage and embrace the future with good fortune.
Happy Khmer New Year! (សួស្តីឆ្នាំថ្មី!) 🎉🎊