Exploring the Cultural and Historical Roots of Cambodia’s Water Festival.
The Cambodian Water Festival, known locally as Bon Om Touk, is one of the nation’s most vibrant and symbolic celebrations. While today it draws millions to Phnom Penh for three days of festivities, its origins are deeply rooted in Cambodia’s royal history, local traditions, and spiritual beliefs that reflect the close bond between people and water.
From Modest Village Races to a Royal Celebration
In ancient times, boat races were not the grand spectacles we know today but humble village competitions. Fishermen used their everyday fishing boats to race for fun, marking the end of the rainy season. However, when King Norodom relocated the capital from Oudong to Phnom Penh between 1860 and 1904, the Water Festival evolved into a royal event. This shift elevated the local pastime into a national celebration symbolizing unity, gratitude, and royal prestige.
As Professor Ang Choulean, an ethnologist from the APSARA National Authority, explained in an interview with Cambodianess journalist Ky Soklim, “The complete official name of the celebration is preah reach pithi bon om tuk, bandet pratit, sampeah preah khae & ok ambok,” meaning the Royal Boat Racing Festival, the Floating Lantern Festival, the Worship of the Moon, and the Eating of Roasted Flattened Rice.
He noted that this combined festival dates back around 100 to 150 years, coinciding with the establishment of Phnom Penh as the new capital. While rural communities continued to celebrate their own events such as Bon Chenh Vassa, which marks the end of Buddhist Lent, and Ok Ambok, which follows a month later King Norodom’s court merged the two in the capital to create a more elaborate royal celebration.
Why the Water Festival Takes Place in Front of the Royal Palace?
Phnom Penh was chosen for the royal festivities not by chance but by geography. “In Phnom Penh, it is celebrated in front of the Royal Palace since the four-faced river exhibits a unique flow,” said Ang Choulean. The convergence of four rivers, including the Tonle Sap River, which connects to the vast Tonle Sap Lake, creates a natural wonder: every year, the river’s flow reverses direction.
A boat preparing for boat racing at Kampong Thom province. Photo: Kampong Thom Administration
During the rainy season, water from the Mekong River pushes into the Tonle Sap Lake, expanding it like a natural reservoir. When the dry season arrives, the lake releases this water back toward the sea. This remarkable reversal is a symbol of renewal and abundance an occasion worth celebrating.
In the past, royal Brahman priests, known as Bakou, would perform a symbolic ritual on the river, cutting a ceremonial ribbon to mark the moment when the water begins to flow back downstream. Although the water naturally reverses on its own, the ritual underscored the spiritual connection between nature, the monarchy, and the divine.
From Ancient Roots to Modern Splendor
While some link the Water Festival to depictions of naval battles on temple bas-reliefs, Professor Choulean disagrees. “As a researcher, I do not consider this story a correlation with the historical naval combat. I do not believe it at all, but also, I do not interfere with anyone who believes in it,” he said. Instead, the festival is a cultural evolution of local practices, rituals that were later elevated by royal patronage to express national identity.
By the time of the Sangkum Reastr Niyum regime (1953–1970), the Water Festival had become a cornerstone of Cambodian heritage, drawing more boats and spectators than ever before. Smaller boats of around 30 rowers then evolved into the long, majestic racing vessels seen today, each carrying over 70 oarsmen.
Spiritual Beliefs Behind the Racing Boats
Every racing boat, or khae, is treated with deep respect, not merely as a vessel but as a sacred spirit. “The dancer does of course play a part in boosting the morale and the synchronisation of the rowers. However, we also need to know that people consider these racing boats as spirits,” said Professor Choulean.
Boats are often adorned with symbolic decorations eyes, hair, and even names to embody their spiritual essence. They are stored in pagodas, believed to be the only places capable of containing their powerful energy. The ethnologist explained that pregnant women are traditionally forbidden from approaching the boats as they are thought to bring misfortune. During training or races, dancers or senior men guide the rhythm of the rowers with chants and ritual gestures, invoking blessings for strength and success.
A Celebration of Water, Unity, and Faith
Today, the Water Festival continues to unite Cambodians across generations and regions. It is more than a celebration of a river’s reversal, it is a living tradition symbolizing gratitude for nature’s bounty, respect for ancestral beliefs, and the shared joy of community. Each November, when the river changes course, Phnom Penh’s riverfront bursts with color, faith, and national pride, reflecting a legacy that has flowed through Cambodia’s history for more than a century.