Khmer New Year's Eve

Khmer New Year or Cambodian New Year’s Eve (Bun Chaul Chnam Khmer), literally translated “Enter Year New” is known as the most popular Cambodian holiday during the year. The holidays last for three days beginning on New Year Day, which usually falls on April 13th or 14th. New Year in Cambodia represents the end of the harvesting season, when farmers enjoy the fruits of their labor before the rainy season begins. Days ahead of this, people clean up their homes, communities and decorate for celebration, as well as set up an altar to the New Year spirit, Tevada Chnam Thmey.

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The first day of the New Year celebration is the ending of the old year and the beginning of the new one. People dress up, light candles, and burn incense sticks at shrines (where the members of each family pay homage to offer thanks for the Buddha’s teaching by bowing, kneeling and prostrating themselves three times before his statue). For good luck, people wash their face with holy water in the morning, their chest at noon, and their feet in the evening before they go to bed.

The second day, people perform acts of charity to the less fortunate by helping and giving to the poor, servants, homeless and low income families. Families attend a dedication ceremony to their ancestors at the monastery.

The third day, Buddhists cleanse the Buddha statues and their elders with perfumed water. Bathing the Buddha image is the symbol that water will be needed for all kind of plants and lives. It is also thought to be a kind deed that will bring longevity, good luck, happiness and prosperity in life. By bathing their grandparents and parents, children can obtain from them best wishes and good advice for the future.

Khmers living abroad may choose to celebrate Khmer New Year during a weekend rather than just specifically April 13th through 15th. Cambodian Christians and people from other faiths beside Buddhists may choose not to participate in some activities, e.g. burning incense sticks at shrines, bowing before and bathing the Buddha statue because those activities came from Buddhism and they affect their own beliefs. 

Conclusion, Khmer New Year celebration is a sense of families gathering, being with friends, relatives and loved ones. People from all around the country travel back to where they were from. They eat, drink, play games, sing and dance together, and make noise for fun.

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The snapshot of some activities during Khmer New Year’s Eve
(These pictures were taken in the US while Sophat presented Khmer New Year celebration among American kids and community people.)   

Leak Kan Seng which means “hide the scarf”, one of the Khmer popular games normally played during the New Year’s Eve. 

Teanh Prat which means “pull the strongcord made of animal skin (buffalo hide)”, another Khmer popular game normally played during the New Year’s Eve.

Ram Vong which means “dance around”, one of the Khmer popular dances. This dance is a common practice whether during the New Year’s Eve and other celebrations or parties.  

Written by: Kimsophat Kong
Edited by: Margaret Garthwaite