Khmer New Year, or Choul Chnam Thmey, is one of Cambodia’s most significant holidays, celebrated annually in April to mark the end of the harvest season and the beginning of a new year. The three-day festival is a time for family reunions, cultural traditions, and vibrant celebrations.
The festivities begin with the cleaning of homes and temples to welcome good fortune and dispel bad spirits. People visit local temples to offer prayers and receive blessings from monks. Families perform water blessings, pouring water over elders to symbolize purification and to receive blessings for good health and prosperity in the coming year.
The days are filled with traditional games, such as Rôbâm (a traditional Cambodian game involving a large woven ball), bokator (martial arts), and Angkorian dance performances. Delicious traditional foods like Lai He (sweet sticky rice) and Kralan (bamboo sticky rice) are shared among family and friends.
It’s also a time for community gatherings, where people dress in traditional clothing, sing, dance, and participate in lively celebrations. Throughout the country, cities and villages are decorated with lights, flowers, and vibrant colors, creating a festive atmosphere that reflects Cambodia’s rich cultural heritage.
Khmer New Year is not only a time for celebrating the past year but also a spiritual and cultural renewal. It’s a joyous occasion that brings communities together and allows locals and visitors alike to experience the true essence of Cambodian tradition and hospitality.