It’s that time of year again.
Cambodian New Year, (Chol Chnam Thmey or បុណ្យចូលឆ្នាំថ្មី in khmer) has come to a close.
This is Cambodia’s favorite holiday, bringing the country to a near standstill
as city residents head home to the provinces to spend time with their families, have parties and visit their local pagoda.
The holiday lasts for three days beginning on New Year's Day, which usually falls on April 13th or 14th. Also being the end of the harvest season, when farmers enjoy the fruits of their labor before the rainy season begins, marking the start of their new year.
Cambodians also celebrate International New Year and the Lunar New Year (also called Chinese New Year).
But, Khmer New Year is one of the only times during the year that Cambodians get substantial time off work, generally working week six days a week.
Traditionally, Khmer New Year was when everyone who was born in that year would count themselves a year older. So in a sense, It’s a birthday party for the entire country!
The entire town of Siem Reap and even smaller villages hold massive water fights. Nobody is off limits and if water wasn’t enough they also slap baby powder on people’s faces.
The final day of celebration is called Leung Sakk, the official first day of the New year. In the evening, to complete the New Year festival, the Khmer perform the final ceremony, called “Pithi Srang Preah”, which means to give a special bath or special shower to Buddha statues, the monks, elders, parents, and grandparents to apologize for any mistakes done to them and to gratify them.
Here are some Khmer New Year games played across the country during the festivities.
Chol Chhoung
A game played by two groups, boys and girls. Ten or twenty 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.
Chab Kon Kleng
A game played by imitating a hen as she protects her chicks from a 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.
Boy meets girl
A game played by two groups, again boys and girls. Each group throws their own “angkunh” to hit the master “angkunhs,” which belong to the other group and are placed on the ground. The winners must knock the knee of the losers with the “angkunh.” “Angkunh” is the name of an inedible fruit seed, which looks like the knee bone.
Leak Kanseng
A game played by a group of children sitting in circle. Someone holding a “kanseng” (Cambodian towel) 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.
basically a violent version of duck, duck, goose. Even at schools a stone is often placed in the scarf…. I suppose to make it hurt, even more?
Tres
A game played by throwing and catching a ball with one hand while trying to catch an increasing number of sticks with the other hand. Usually, pens or chopsticks are used as the sticks to be caught.
Tug of War
The old test of strength played between two teams and a length of rope, the aim is to pull the other team in your direction, a predetermined distance.
And finally a game called… Kick the Nuts
Unfortunately for the fellas, this game is pretty self explanatory.
Luckily, it’s only played between children… and drunken younger males. 😉
The whole family had fun joining in the festivities, but I think it's safe to say, everyone's favorite was the city wide water and talcum powder fight.
Oh, the kids sure had fun. Would love to participate the new year festival with the locals.
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It really is alot of fun... Almost like a weekend of everyone acting like big kids!
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I SAW A VIDEO OF THIS ON MY FACEBOOK FEED TODAY!
I wondered about why the whole city was water fighting each other but it also looked like they were having fun! It's nice to finally know what this was about! And now I want to be there too!
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