he Water Festival takes place each year, at the time of the full
moon. That's why this festival may be celebrated in October or November.
In Cambodia, Water Festival is the most merry-making celebration in
Cambodia, because it is the time of national reunion (up to a million);
people from all walks of life and every where in the country, come to
Phnom Penh to participate in the three-day festival, in Phnom Penh. What
are particular about the Water Festival?
Three days of
traditional boat-racing on the Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers, brightly
colored boats (Bandet Pratip in the Khmer language), nightly firework
displays, along with other modern music stalls. The festival is
celebrated to remember the power of Khmer empire in the ancient time.
Khmer New Year or Chaul Chhnam Thmey in the Khmer language
The
festival lasts from April 13th to 15th, but sometimes it falls on 14th
to 16th. This time of year represents the end of the harvesting season.
The farmers enjoy the fruits of their harvest and relax before the rainy
season begins. The three-day celebration all owns different names; Maha
Songkran for the first day; Vanabat for the second day; Thgnai Loeung
Saka for the third day. During this time, Phnom Penh residents usually
go to their hometowns in the province to celebrate with their parents,
grandparents and other relatives.
Traditionally, there are five
kinds of game played in the three days. Tres: A game played by throwing
and catching a ball with one hand while trying to catch an increasing
number of sticks with the other hand. Chlo Chhoung: Played especially on
the first nightfall of the New Year by two groups of boys and girls.
Chab Kon Khleng: Played by imitating a hen as she protects her chicks
from a crow. Bos Angkunh: Played by two groups of boys and girls. Each
group throws their own "angkunh" to hit the master "angkunhs", which
belong to other group and are placed on the ground. Leak Kanseng: Played
by a group of children sitting in circle. Someone holding a "kanseng"
(Cambodian towel) twisted into a round shape walks around the circle
while singing a song.
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