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Cambodia: Culture: Special Occasions Chaul Chnam (Khmer New Year) - mid-April For three days, families visit wats (temples), clean their homes and exchange gifts, especially new clothes. They also celebrate by splashing each other with water and talcum powder.
Chrat Preah Nengkal (Royal ploughing ceremony) - early May A harvest festival. A man and a woman from the royal family harness two sacred cows to plough and sow a furrow. The cows are then released, and allowed to eat or drink from any of seven silver trays. The trays contain rice, corn, wheat, beans, grass, water and alcohol. If the sacred cows eat the grains, the next harvest will be plentiful, but if they eat the grass, it will be a bad year for growing crops. If they drink the water, there will be plenty of rain (possibly even flooding), but if they drink the alcohol, there will be trouble in the country. Vesaka Bochea (Buddha's birthday) May 15th This day marks three important occasions in the life of the Buddha - his birth, his enlightenment, and his death. People celebrate by taking gifts of food and flowers to the local wat, and ask for good fortune for the coming year. Day of Hatred - May 20th A day of mourning to remember the crimes of the Khmer Rouge regime. This used to be a national day off work, but in the last few years, it is only celebrated with a ceremony.
Queen's Birthday - June 18th Celebrates the Cambodian queen's birthday. Dak Ben (Commemoration of the spirits) - September/October For 15 days, families remember the dead by giving offerings at wats. The fifteenth day, which is set to fall at the full moon, is called P'Chum Ben, or the ceremony of the dead. Paris Peace Accord - October 21st Celebrates the signing in 1991 of the peace accord that ended the civil war. His Majesty the King's Birthday - October 30th to November 1st Bon Om Tuk (Water Festival) - early November A three-day festival to celebrate the current in the Tonle Sap River reversing. During the rainy season, there is so much water in the Mekong River that water is forced up the Tonle Sap River to the lake. When the dry season comes, there is less water flowing, so the current goes back to normal. People celebrate this with boat races and fireworks by the river. Find out more about the reversing river
Independence Day - November 9th Celebrates Cambodia's independence from France. Chinese and Vietnamese New Year - late January or early February The Chinese and Vietnamese communities celebrate their own New Year with a parade, fireworks and by giving toys and clothes to children. Note: Cambodians don't celebrate their birthday, and most people don't know when it is.
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