All about Khmer New Year in Cambodia

The Khmer New Year marks the end of the traditional harvest season, a time of leisure for farmers who have toiled all year to plant and harvest rice. April represents a rare break from the hard work, since it's the hottest and driest month of the year, making it all but impossible to work for long in the fields.

As the harvest season winds down, farming communities turn their attention to the rites of the New Year ahead of the rainy season that arrives in late May.

Until the 13th century, the Khmer New Year was celebrated in late November or early December. A Khmer King (either Suriyavaraman II or Jayavaraman VII, depending on who you ask) moved the celebration to coincide with the end of the rice harvest.

The Khmer New Year is not strictly a religious holiday, although many Khmer visit the temples to commemorate the holiday.

Once Upon a time, there was a young man named Dhammabal Koma. As the son of a rich father, he had successfully completed his studies of the three Vedas. He could also speak and understand the language of all birds. Dhammabal Koma was famous throughout the country for his knowledge. And so, it came to pass that one day the King of the Gods Kabil Moha Prum learned of the extraordinary cleverness of Dhammabal.

This made the King of the Gods very jealous, he decided to descend to Earth and challenge Dhammabal with a riddle. The King was sure that he would win and declared that the loser should lose his head. Dhammabal was certain in his knowledge and agreed to take part.

The riddle

The riddle of King Kabil Moha Prum consisted of these three questions:

• What is happiness in the morning?
• What is happiness in the afternoon?
• What is happiness in the evening

Dhammabal had seven days to solve the riddle. But try as he might, even after six days he had still not worked out the answers. Dhammabal was without hope and in desperation he decided to go deep into the forest and kill himself.

After spending many hours going deeper and deeper into the forest, he rested, exhausted, under a large palm tree. But suddenly whilst he was half asleep he noticed a pair of vultures talking to each other. The female vulture asked her husband what they should eat the next day.

The male vulture replied that they would have Dhammabal Koma’s flesh for the next day, and for the days that followed that.

For Dhammabal will die because he cannot solve the riddle. The female vulture became curious and she asked her husband what the riddle was. Her husband answered her with these three questions:

• What is happiness in the morning?
• What is happiness in the afternoon?
• What is happiness in the evening?

The answers to the riddle

And then the vulture gave his wife the answers to the questions:

• Happiness in the morning is on the faces of the people as they wash their face before they begin a new day.
• Happiness in the afternoon is on the breast of the people as they swim to cool their bodies from the afternoon heat.
• Happiness in the evening is at the feet of the people, as they clean their feet after a whole day of work and prepare themselves for the night’s rest.

As soon as the vulture had uttered these answers, Dhammabal recovered from his fatigue, and hurried back to the palace. There he waited for the King of the Gods to answer the riddle.

The King of the Gods kept his word, since he had been defeated. But before he was beheaded, he called his seven daughters to him and ordered them to take care of his head. His head could not come into contact with the earth, for it would burn it. Contact with the air would evaporate the rain, and contact with the sea would make all the oceans dry up.

New Year – and every year an angel comes down to earth

After these terrible warnings, Kabil Moha Prum cut off his own head and handed it to Tungsa, his eldest daughter. Tungsa placed her father’s head on a metal plate and took it to Mount Someru. Tungsa and a trillion other angels circled around the Someru mountain before she brought her father’s head to the Kuntheakmali Temple in Heaven.

There, the angels created a magic meeting place where they could meet every year at Mount Someru. Each year since that day, on the Cambodian New Year (Sangkran) one of the seven daughters takes the father’s head in a ceremonial circle around Mount Someru to bring happiness and good weather for a good harvest to the earth before returning it to the Kuntheakmali temple in heaven.

You will find it quite similar with the legend of Songkran in Thailand, Lao New Year, or Thingyan Festival in Myanmar

The Khmer mark their New Year with purification ceremonies, visits to temples, and playing traditional games.

At home, observant Khmer do their spring cleaning and set up altars to offer sacrifices to the sky deities, or devodas, who are believed to make their way to the Mount Meru of legend at this time of year.

At the temples, entrances are garlanded with coconut leaves and flowers. Locals visit the pagodas and bring offerings of food, desserts, and other everyday items to appease their deceased ancestors.

The temple courtyards also become playgrounds for the Khmer, who play traditional Khmer games during this time of year. A game called angkunh, for example, uses large inedible nuts that are tossed and knocked about by opposing teams.

The celebration of Khmer New Year has evolved over the years and is now characterized by crowds of people, including tourists, roaming around and soaking each other. This involves gathering along the streets using water pistols, water hoses, and super soakers, throwing buckets of water, and basically soaking anyone they can see around them.

Although the celebration of Khmer New Year may have evolved, a lot of Cambodian people still use this holiday as an opportunity to head to their hometowns and spend time with their families and relatives. Buddhists, on the other hand, visit temples and pour water on the images of Buddha and on the hands of Buddhist monks as a sign of respect.

The Cambodian New Year is celebrated for three whole days, each with its own ritual significance and ceremonies.

Day 1: Maha Sangkran (មហាសង្រ្កាន្ត)

Maha Sangkran, derived from Sanskrit Maha Sankranti, is the name of the first day of the new year celebration. It is the end of the year and the beginning of a new one. People dress up and light candles and burn incense sticks at shrines, where the members of each family pay homage to offer thanks for the Buddha's teachings by bowing, kneeling and prostrating themselves three times in front of his image. For good luck people wash their face with holy water in the morning, their chests at noon, and their feet in the evening before they go to bed.

Day 2: Virak Vanabat (វិរ:វ័នបត)

Vireak Vanabat is the name of the second day of the new year celebration. People contribute charity to the less fortunate by helping the poor, servants, homeless, and low-income families. Families attend a dedication ceremony to their ancestors at monasteries.

Day 3: Vearak Loeng Sak (វារៈឡើងស័ក)

T'ngai Loeng Sak in Khmer is the name of the third day of the new year celebration. Buddhists wash the Buddha statues and their elders with perfumed water. Bathing the Buddha images is a symbolic practice to wash bad actions away like water clean dirt from household items. It is also thought to be a kind deed that will bring longevity, good luck, happiness and prosperity in life. By washing their grandparents and parents, the children can obtain from them best wishes and good pieces of advice to live the life for the rest of the year.

In temples, people erect a sand hillock on temple grounds. They mound up a big pointed hill of sand or dome in the center which represents Valuka Chaitya, the stupa at Tavatimsa where the Buddha's hair and diadem are buried. The big stupa is surrounded by four small ones, which represent the stupas of the Buddha's favorite disciples: Sariputta, Moggallana, Ananda, and Maha Kassapa. There is another tradition called Sraung Preah: pouring water or liquid plaster (a mixture of water with some chalk powder) on elder relative, or people (mostly the younger generation is responsible for pouring the water).

The Khmer New Year is also a time to prepare special dishes. One of these is a "kralan": a cake made from steamed rice mixed with beans or peas, grated coconut and coconut milk. The mixture is stuffed inside a bamboo stick and slowly roasted.

Khmer New Year is a time to party, and it is also a time to feast. During Khmer New Year, many families prepare special dishes. One such special dish is called kralan.

Kralan is a cake made by mixing steamed rice, beans or peas, grated coconut, and coconut milk. This sweet and sticky mixture is then stuffed inside a bamboo stick and slowly roasted.

Cambodia is home to a variety of games played to transform the dull days into memorable occasions. These games are similar to those played in Manipur, a north-eastern state in India.  Throughout the Khmer New Year, street corners often are crowded with friends and families enjoying a break from routine, filling their free time with dancing and games. Typically, Khmer games help maintain one's mental and physical dexterity.

Chol Chhoung 

A game played especially on the first nightfall of the Khmer New Year by two groups of boys and girls. Ten or 20 people comprise each group, standing in two rows opposite each other. One group throws the chhoung to the other group. When it is caught, it will be rapidly thrown back to the first group. If someone is hit by the chhoung, the whole group must dance to get the chhoung back while the other group sings to the dance.

Chab Kon Kleng 

A game played by imitating a hen as she protects her chicks from a crow. Adults typically play this game on the night of the first New Year's Day. Participants usually appoint a strong player to play the hen who protects "her" chicks, while another person is picked to be the "crow". While both sides sing a song of bargaining, the crow tries to catch as many chicks as possible as they hide behind the hen.

Bos Angkunh

The simple style consists of just throwing the Ongkunhs to hit the target Ongkunhs. The extended style adds five more stages in addition to the throwing stage. Both styles end with a penalty called Jours-activity that the winning team members get to perform on the losing team members. The Jours-activity is performed by using the Onkunghs the hit the knees of the losing team.

Leak Kanseng

A game played by a group of children sitting in a circle. Someone holding a "kanseng" (Cambodian towel) that is twisted into a round shape walks around the circle while singing a song. The person walking secretly tries to place the "kanseng" behind one of the children. If that chosen child realizes what is happening, he or she must pick up the "kanseng" and beat the person sitting next to him or her.

Bay Khom

A game played by two children in rural or urban areas during their leisure time. Ten holes are dug in the shape of an oval into a board in the ground. The game is played with 42 small beads, stones or fruit seeds. Before starting the game, five beads are put into each of the two holes located at the tip of the board. Four beads are placed in each of the remaining eight holes. The first player takes all the beads from any hole and drops them one by one in the other holes. He or she must repeat this process until they have dropped the last bead into a hole that lies besides any empty one. Then they must take all the beads in the hole that follows the empty one. At this point, the second player may have his turn. The game ends when all the holes are empty. The player with the greatest number of beads wins the game. It is possibly similar to congkak.

For the song during new year, you have 2 options: classic & new one.

Here is the classic option

If you want a ‘little’ shake, here is your option

The Biggest Celebrations are in Siem Reap & Phnom Penh

Whether you find yourself in Phnom Penh or Siem Reap for the Khmer New Year, you’re in for great time. However, it pays to be prepared. It gets extremely busy, so make sure to book your accommodations and transportation in advance.

You will have a great time partying with Cambodians and fellow travelers for three full days! Do set aside some time to experience and learn about the social and religious traditions around Khmer New Year.

Visit Angkor Wat to take part in Angkor Sankranta! This is a three-day festival full of cool events, entertaining shows, traditional ceremonies, fun activities, delicious food and drinks all in the stunning Angkor Temple Complex. There’s always a nice little schedule and itinerary every year. Once we find it, we’ll be sure to share it here and on our social profiles.

Taking part in Siem Reap’s songkran means you’ll get wet.

No matter where you walk or drive, you’re sure to end up soaked with water and covered in baby powder. Prepare to be ambushed with water guns, buckets, hoses full of icy cold water! So, buy yourself a water gun and join in the fun.

What to do in Siem Reap during Khmer New Year

If you are lucky enough to be in Siem Reap during the Khmer New Year, we strongly advise you to venture out and join Siem Reap Sangkranta festivities with the locals. To do just that, here are the most recommended five activities to do during Khmer New Year in Siem Reap. 

1. Visit a Pagoda

For the Khmer New Year, nearly every pagoda of the country is decorated for the occasion. Go to one of them to admire the colorful garlands, flowers and other decorations that adorned every part of the monument. During your visit, you can witness several traditional ceremonies taking place, especially in the morning when families go to pagoda to offer foods and fruits to the monks and receive blessings. 

Note: Remember to be respectful by wearing modest clothing and make sure that you are enough covered, also take off your shoes before entering the pagoda.

2. Play Traditional Games and Dance with the Locals 

Don’t pass on the opportunity to join the locals who gather at the courtyard of pagodas and other public areas to dance Khmer music and play traditional games such as Leak Kanseng, Donderm Sleok Cher, or Teanh Proat. This is the time to truly get to know the Cambodians and to share together a joyful moment. Laughter guaranteed! 

3. Participate to the Siem Reap Sangkranta Festival 

This year, Siem Reap Sangkranta festival will take place in the city center located near the Royal Residence. This festival is one of the main attractions of the city during Khmer New Year. So don’t hesitate to go and take a look at what’s going on. Many cultural activities will take place throughout the three days.

It’s the perfect opportunity to discover Khmer arts and traditions. Also, multiple stalls set up in the area will offer endless choice of street food and other traditional delicacies for the occasion. Finally visit the commercial displays to find handmade souvenirs and other items as your memorable belongings from the Khmer New Year in Siem Reap. 

4. Visit a Nearby Village 

We advise you spend an afternoon in a village nearby Siem Reap if you can. It’s the best way to interact with the local Khmer people and experience an authentic celebration of the Khmer New Year. Don’t forget your camera because you will also be able to see breathtaking landscapes, with rice fields and wooden houses on stilts. 

5. Party in the Streets of the Old Market area 

Finally, for the third and final night of the celebration, if you’re up for partying, wander in the streets of the Old Market area where Cambodians, expats and tourists come together to party and to celebrate the end of the holiday. When it’s time, look up at the sky and admire the fireworks to conclude your perfect Khmer New Year experience. 

Khmer New Year was a really friendly, lively festival to be a part of, but due to the water and talcum powder throwing, and alcohol intake it can also be dangerous on the roads.

There’s an increase in road traffic accidents caused by people swerving or being surprised by water attacks when on their motors or cycles. The combination of water and talcum powder also makes the road surface slippery resulting in skidding and crashes, especially when mixed with speeding and drink driving.

Personally, I would avoid riding a bicycle or motorcycle during Khmer New Year. After being squirted directly in the face when riding my bicycle on the first day of the festival and nearly coming off it I decided the bike would remain safely at home for the rest of the celebrations. You also need to stay alert when walking around town as normal road rules don’t apply…keep your wits about you.

There’s little violent crime during Khmer New Year but one other thing to be aware of is the increase in opportunistic pickpockets and bag snatchers, especially in the crowded areas. 

There’s probably not much chance of it happening but to be on the safe side I’d recommend the following: don’t take a bag out with you, don’t carry large amounts of money and don’t walk around with your camera or phone out.

I actually just stashed my money in my bra and kept my iPhone in the waistband of my jeans. If you take these precautions you should be fine.

One other thing to remember is that Khmer New Year falls at the hottest time of the year, so be sure to drink lots of water and wear sunscreen when out and about.

Q. What is the origin of Khmer New year?

The Khmer New Year festival originated from Bramhmanism, a part of Hinduism, which was a religion that Khmer believed in before Buddhism. Later on, Buddhism became associated with the festival and then took all the important roles in the festivity.

Q. What Cambodian New Year is Called in Khmer?

In the Cambodian language, Khmer New Year is called Choul Chnam Thmey (បុណ្យចូលឆ្នាំថ្មី) meaning literally, Enter New Year.

Q. How to Say Happy New Year in Khmer?

You may wish to greet people by saying happy Khmer New Year. Do so by saying Susadei Chhnam Thmei!

This video may help.

Q. Why Do the Khmer Celebrate the New Year in April?

Khmer New Year marks the end of the Cambodian harvest season. This brings about a time of leisure for farmers who have toiled all year to plant and harvest their rice fields.

In the past, April represented a rare break from the daily hard work. Cambodian society is changing but it’s necessary to keep in mind that agriculture has always been a large part of the way of life. Today, agriculture still represents 28% of Cambodia’s GDP and 45% of employment.

Q. What Calendar Cambodia Uses?

Cambodia, like many other Southeast Asian countries once used a lunisolar calendar, also known as the Buddhist calendar. The Khmer traditional calendar was known as Chhankitek.

While the lunisolar calendars all share a common lineage, they also have minor but important variations. The Cambodian version is largely based on an old version of the Hindu calendar.

Today, we use the Gregorian calendar for it’s accuracy and the traditional lunisolar calendar is used mainly for festivals. The Chhankitek calendar no longer has the official calendar status in Cambodia.

Thailand New Year (Songkran)

Songkran Festival is the Thai New Year’s Festival which takes place every April. It is also Thailand’s biggest and most famous water festival in Thailand. It marks the start of the traditional Thai New Year.

Songkran is derived from a Sanskrit word saṃkrānti which literally translates to “astrological passage” and means ‘passing’, ‘approaching’, ‘change’, or ‘transformation’. The official holiday runs from the 13th up to the 15th of April but the festivities may last a week or more.

The traditional way of celebrating the water festival involves Thai people splashing water on their elders, family members, close friends, and neighbors as a way of looking for good fortune. They also visit temples and pay homage to the images of Buddha.

Check more detail about Songkran – Thailand New Year

Myanmar New Year (Thingyan)

Thingyan, which means "transit [of the Sun from Pisces to Aries]" is the Burmese New Year Festival that usually occurs in middle of April. It is a Buddhist festival celebrated over a period of four to five days, culminating in the New Year.

The dates of the Thingyan Festival are calculated according to the Burmese calendar. The dates of the festival are observed as public holidays throughout Myanmar and are part of the summer holidays at the end of the school year. 

Water-throwing or dousing one another from any shape or form of vessel or device that delivers water is the distinguishing feature of this festival and may be done on the first four days of the festival.

Check more detail about Thingyan – Myanmar New Year

Laos New Year (Pi Mai Lao)

Pi Mai Lao or Lao New Year is the liveliest holiday of the year and one that everyone looks forward to, as it is a time when many people visit their families all over the country. It takes place around 13-15th April, the hottest part of the year, which is why no one really minds being constantly wet from the water being thrown everywhere.

Check more detail about Boun Pimay – Laos New Year