The Khmer New year technically lasts for three days (although celebrating this festival usually lasts for a week - we closed school on the 11th and we'll resume on the 19th).
The first day of New Year is called as
Moha Sangkran, and it when the New Angels (Thevada) come to take charge of the world for a one-year period. This year Moha Sangkran of the New Year will begin on April 13th. People have to clean and decorate their
houses and prepare fruits and drinks to welcome the New Angels at their homes. The elederly often meditate and pray so that any angel who comes to their houses at that time will stay with them and take care of their family for the whole year. In the morning at the first day of New Year, most Khmer people prepare food to offer the monks at Khmer temple to get their blessings. It is also a time for boys and girls to play traditional games together at the temple or any field or playground in their village because it is only at the New Year period that boys and girls are allowed to play or to get together traditionally. Also it is an opportune time for single people to search for the special partner to get married in the future. We must remember that in the past 30 years, "dating" did not exist in Cambodia.
The second day of New Year is called
Wanabot, which means day of offering gifts to the parents, grandparents and elders. Usually, Cambodians like to share gifts or presents to employees and also donate money or clothes to poor people. In the evening, people go to temple to build a mountain of sand and ask the monks to give them a blessing of happiness and peace.
The third day is called
Leung Sakk - this means the new year starts to be counted from this day, for example as the international year 2005 begins to be 2006 after December 31, the Buddhist year of 2549 becomes 2550 after this day. To complete the New Year festival, Khmer people need to perform the last ceremony, called "Pithi Srang Preah", which means giving a special bath or a special shower to Buddha statues, the monks, elders, parents, grand parents to apologize for any mistake done to them and to show gratitude to them also (Our students and teachers performed our version of this in school before they left for the holidays).
Every one has a wonderful time during this ceremony because it is an occasion for every one to enjoy themselves by sprinking or throwing water at each other. Happiness is everyone's wish for each other during these days as people treat each other extra-kindly. Let our wishes be that the joy & kindness-filled spirit of the New Year extends throughout the entire year.
For more information and pictures on Khmer New Year, click on this link:
http://www.mot.gov.kh/event_festival/khmer_new_year.htm
Last week, on the 16th of April, I celebrated Easter Sunday mass with the crew of Coco Explorer II. This was to be their final voyage. Feelings of thanksgiving for the past voyages mixed with anxious expectation over what awaits are painted over their faces as we joined together in the liturgy of Christ’s resurrection. After this last voyage, the crew members will be headed back home to see the faces they’ve long missed. And although the crew may never see each other again, they are full of hope to meet others in another voyage, in another ship.
