New Year. New Opportunities.

Our friends and families in Cambodia just celebrated Khmer New Year (KNY) between April 14th and 16th.  Everyone enjoyed the three day public holiday to the fullest as it has been 2 years without any celebration due to the pandemic.

Khmer New Year (KNY) is full of tradition and customs. It also marks the end of the harvest season, a time to rest for farmers who have been working hard on their crops all season.  With the harvest season winding down in mid-April, farming communities shift their attention to the new year, before the rainy season that typically begins in late May. ​

Here is a wonderful article full of stories about Khmer New Year traditions, including food, family and community rituals, and details about what each day of the new year means. While old traditions remain in place, others have evolved. Today, crowds of people like to gather in the streets and soak each other with water hoses, super soakers, and throw buckets of water, soaking everyone around them.  

To learn about the KNY activities, we had the pleasure of connecting with one of PeopleStories newest local volunteers.  Pheak Heng who was born and raised in the capital city of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, has many stories to share about KNY traditions in her family. She excitedly said, “This is one of the biggest holidays in the country and people usually leave the city to travel to their hometown.”  

Pheak’s family sets up a table with fruit, drinks, etc., in front of their house, as an offering to the devata (angel).”  She further explained, “There is usually a specific time for the angel’s arrival to the human realm and we light incense at that moment with hope and prayer that the new angel will give her blessing to us.”  

The first day of the new year is called “Maha Sangkran”.  Sangkran means movement and refers to the sun moving into a new zodiac sign (Aries) and Maha means great.  Some say that Maha Sangkran means welcome to the new spirits.  Pheak shared, “Siem Reap is the biggest hub of Khmer New Year celebration - Sangkran.  Before the pandemic, an annual celebration was hosted with people travelling from different parts of the country to participate in water splashing, throwing water balloons, and enjoying live music.  I heard this year was in no exception” 

Khmer New Year is slowly returning to pre-pandemic style but not in full force just yet.  Pheak spent her New Year in Phnom Penh and shared, “I had the opportunity to visit Siem Reap right before Khmer New Year while the preparations were being made and saw people preparing for the parade of big figures of angels and animals.  There were also government tour guides stationed in various temples to get ready for the influx of people into Siem Reap for the New Year.  Streets were becoming busier as well.”

The last day of KNY is all about ‘cleansing’.  Pheak described how this day is celebrated in her family.  “On the last day, we wash our Buddha statues and elders with perfumed water blessed by months.  This is a symbolic practice to pay respect and ask forgiveness for past mistakes.” 

Pheak agrees traditions have changed over the years and reflected, “With modernization occurring, some of the traditional activities such as folk games are not enjoyed as much as before.”  Water play has always been a big way to celebrate KNY and Pheak has seen the younger generation take this fun activity to a new level; explaining, “Everyone has a water gun and people went out in the street and had a blast.  KNY is such a great season for water play because it’s extremely hot this time of year, so a splash of water feels quite refreshing.” She continued, “Nothing can change the fact that KNY is always time for gathering. This has continued for many years, and I hope it will remain a season that brings friends and families closer.”  

Like everyone around the world, Pheak’s way of doing things changed during the pandemic.  Now, with some pandemic restrictions being eased she excitedly shared, “The ‘new normal’ shifted all our celebrations with family and loved ones online through Zoom and video call last year, so it feels great to be able to meet up with friends and family over dinner in a physical space during KNY this year.” To conclude, Pheak had this message to share, “Celebrate Khmer New Year to the fullest but always remember to take care and stay safe.” ​

Learning about other cultures and traditions is a true gift.  Family and friends, celebrations, food; all of these things have no boundaries.  Everyone can relate, it’s universal.  KNY is all about rest, reflection, forgiveness, gratitude, and respect.  

PeopleStories wishes all of our friends and families in Cambodia and around the world a happy and healthy New Year!

To read more about the local lives in Cambodia: https://bit.ly/PS_PoSR


Story written by:  Volunteer Kathy Aunkst