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Cambodia > General Information > Events
April/May: Bonn Chroat Preah Nongkoal
The Royal Ploughing ceremony, or the opening of the Sacred Furrow, is the
first of the traditional agrarian festivals. In times past, on an
auspicious day determined by palace astrologists, the King traced the
first furrows in the Capital's sacred rice field, thus inaugurating the
ploughing season.
Today, the ritual is performed by a man, King of Meakh, who leads the yoke and plough, followed by a woman, Queen Me Hour, who sows seeds. After thrice circling the rice field, the procession stops at a chapel where Brahmins invoke the protection of the Gods. The sacred cows are unharnessed and guided to seven silver trays containing rice, corn, bean, and other edibles. Based on their choice, predictions are made for the coming year. If they choose the cereals, harvest will be good. If they eat herbs, cattle diseases are to be feared. If they drink water, rain will be abundant and peace will reign; but if they drink alcohol, trouble will break out in the Kingdom.
13 April: Bonn Chaul Chnam or Bonn Pimai
The New Year's Festival spans three days following the end of the harvest
season. Khmers clean and decorate their houses with an altar for offerings
to the Tevoda of the coming year. They also visit the temple with
offerings. Then they play traditional games such as Angkunh, Chaol
Chhoung, Leak Kansaeng, and tug of war. Since 1975, the New Year
festival has been fixed to 16 April.
September: Bonn Dak Ben and Bonn Phchum Ben
Spirits Commemoration Festival is held for the spirits of the dead. Bonn
Dak Ben - the offering of food to the monks - lasts for 15 days. The 15th
day of the ceremony - the full moon - is called Bonn Phchum Ben, the
collection of the bens (offerings). During this celebration, if departed
souls do not find their family making offerings at a wat, it is believed
that the soul is cursed and will bother the descendent throughout the
year.
October: Bonn Kathen
This religious festival lasts for 29 days. The monks come out of their
retreat. Town and country folks march in a procession to the wat, where
the monks are waiting to change their old saffron robes for the new ones
offered during the festival. The ceremony brings spiritual merit to both
lay people and the monks.
9 November: Independence Day
The 9th of November 1953 is the date Cambodia achieved independence from
France. The occasion is marked each year by a gala parade in front of the
Royal Palace, which includes floats, marching bands and other spectacles
highlighting the nation's achievements.
November: Bonn Om Tuk
The three-day Water Festival celebrates the river's changing flow by
watching a festive cavalcade of competitive boat races. The finish
line symbolizes a gate that retains the water. Once the line is cut,
water flows down the Mekong, commencing the fishing season. Other
traditional ceremonies are the midnight meals of pounded rice and full
moon celebration, with lighted flotillas and fireworks in the evening.
It is held at full moon at the end of October or in November.