Cambodia Water Festival History
Cambodian Water Festival was first celebrated in the 12th century, around the time of Angkorian King Jayavarman VII. The King’s Navy helped usher in the Cambodian fishing season. The festivities made the gods happy and secured good harvests of rice and fish in the upcoming year.
Another story is that Bon Om Touk was a way for the King to prepare his navy for battle. There are carvings at Bayon Temple, at Banteay Chmear that show naval battles similar to the boat races in present-day celebrations.
How many days is the Water Festival in Cambodia?
The Water Festival takes place over three days in November all over Cambodia. The biggest celebrations are along the Tonle Sap River in front of Royal Palace in Phnom Penh.
Why is Water Festival celebrated in Cambodia?
Cambodian Water Festival celebration in front of the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia 1914. The festival goes for three days and commemorates the end of the country’s rainy season as well as the change in flow of the Tonlé Sap River. The festival attracts several million people every year.
Where is Bon Om Touk celebrated?
What Is Bon Om Touk? The Water Festival of Cambodia (known locally as Bon Om Touk) is the annual celebration of the life-giving waters of the Tonle Sap River, which is so crucial to the country’s prosperity.
What do Cambodian People do at a Water Festival?
The Water Festival is the most festive festival in Cambodia, people from all over the country gather in Phnom Penh to see the boat race, the illuminated boats and the fireworks. The city is filled with people, food stands and live concerts.
Here’re some photo gallery along the river in front of the Royal Palace on the third day of the Royal Water Festival, floating lanterns and dancing to worship the moon in 2021. The photos were taken by Phnom Penh Capital Administration
Picture of Cambodia Water Festival 2021 in front of Royal Palace
Photo of Cambodia Water Festival 2021
Khmer Water Festival in Nov 2021
Khmer Water Festival in 2021
Khmer Water Festival 2021 in front of Royal Palace
Cambodia Water Festival in Nov 2021
Cambodia Water Festival in 2021
Cambodia Water Festival 2021 in front of Royal Palace
Present day:
Water Festival is celebrated in every province, but many Cambodians make a special trip from the provinces to the capital city, Phnom Penh. They usually spend at least two days enjoying the festivities. In Phnom Penh, people gather for big boat races, illuminated floats (លយប្រទីប), a moon salutation (សំពះព្រះខែ) and eating of special rice made with banana or coconut juice (អកអំបុក).
Many people spend all their time at boat races. Khmer find a spot along the river, lay out a picnic mat, eat and drinking, and cheer for their teams. Boat race participants usually arrive a few days before to practice along the Tonle Sap River. Boats are often sponsored by individual donors and government officials.
At night, after the races, you will see people floating small, handmade boats in the river along with many, many floating candles. Different government ministries create their own larger illuminated boats. Later in the evening, there are beautiful fireworks displays that last around 20 minutes.
What can you do during the Water Festival
Cambodian water festival – boats for the races It is a national three-day holiday, so many Cambodians spend the time celebrating with their families. They go to see boat racing and some travel around the provinces to see how they celebrate water festivals in different communities.
The second night of the Water Festival is a full moon. Many celebrate and pray to the moon by putting things like fruits, coconuts and special rice in front of their houses. They believe that by doing so, the moon will give them good luck. My mother says, “There is a rabbit living on the moon and looking at us,” and I believe her.
Source: Pharecircus.org