Water Festival (Bonn Om Teuk) In Cambodia
In November, the month when the Mekong River starts to sink back to its normal level at the end of the rainy season, there is a big traditional festival in Cambodia. It is called Water Festival (Bonn Om Teuk), rowing boat racing. It is the biggest holiday for Cambodian. The festival lasts three days so that boats from near and far provinces can join the contest. During the festival, Cambodian across the country gathers in Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia, to attend and celebrate this festival. Every year, during this event, around 10% of Cambodia’s population (base on the Cambodia Inter Census in 2003, Cambodia’s population is approximately 13 millions) moves in Phnom Penh to catch this event.
The Water Festival has a tremendously sole history. Historically, during the Angkor era in the 12th century, under rule of King Preah Bat Jayvarman VII, Khmer Empire had occupied most part of Indochinese Peninsula. The King had battled with enemies to defend the empire as well as to expand the territory. With a very powerful naval force, the King had defeated his enemies all the time. As a result, the King had decided to organize every year the Water Festival in Bayon Temple and Batteay Chhmar. The purpose is to select a champion of sailing battle. In addition, the ceremony is also to train his army to prepare for battle. People can see lots of statues about sailing battles under the leadership of King Jayvarman VII have been carved on the wall of Angkor Thom temple. Because of this, from then up to now, the custom of this has become a very import traditional festival in Cambodia. Moreover, this event is to admire the military exercise of our navy force in the course of national defense and to express thanks to the 3 Buddhist symbols, Gods and all holy things which help us, especially with agriculture (rice fields) and serves as an opportunity to pray to our lord for the happiness and sufficient rain for rice cultivation. Additionally, there are others three ceremonies, namely (1) illuminate float (Loy Pratip) , (2) Moon salutation (Sampeas Preah Khe) and (3) the eating of pestle new special rice with banana or coconut juice (Ork Ambok), is included during the festival as well.
