Cambodian New Year: The Biggest Celebration In Cambodia

I like celebrating New Year – the festivities, family gatherings, and the idea of a fresh start. In some parts of Asia, New Year is observed on a different date and with unique traditions. I accidentally experienced it with the Balinese New Year, which as compared to Western celebrations – it’s a day of absolute silence.

Since then, I have looked forward to experiencing and learning more about other New Year celebrations in Asia. In this post, I have collaborated with Supraja Lakshmi N of Viral Vacation Ideas for a complete guide about Cambodian New Year. She’ll share her how she celebrates with her family, plus insider tips!

Cambodian New Year is a three-day festival in April that marks the end of the harvest season and is a time for family gatherings, community celebrations, and religious rituals.

When I was younger, and working multiple jobs, I avoided looking at the clock. I fear the slow passing of time that will only seem slower if I watch it progress.

Now, I avoid looking at my calendar. I fear the quick passing of time that will only seem faster if I watch it progress. It’s funny how memories and time work. 

It felt like yesterday that I said goodbye to my relatives at the Phnom Penh airport, but I don’t even remember what we talked about, or what they wore, what I wore. But I know, it’s been almost two years since I’ve seen them in Takeo, celebrating Cambodian New Year at our family temple.

Sadly, this will be another year, and I won’t be able to celebrate the New Year with them, a three-day family festival, much like Christmas or Thanksgiving. However, even If I can’t celebrate it with them in person, there’s no reason I won’t be celebrating it with them online.

I might not like how time passes too quickly now, but that’s one more reason why I should make as many memories as I can because the Cambodian New Year is coming, and it holds a very special place in my heart.

What is the Cambodian New Year called?

Chaul Chnam Khmer (Khmer New Year), is a three-day festival starting around the 13th or 14th of April, depending on leap years, to celebrate the Cambodian New Year.

It is like Christmas, New Year, and birthdays all rolled into one, as everyone is out on the streets saying “Sus’Dei Chnam Thmei” (Happy New Year in Cambodian), and wishing each other, and their families success, peace, and happiness.

It is a very lively time if you are in Cambodia, as everyone is dressed up in their traditional outfit to make offerings at wats, cleaning out their homes, exchanging gifts, and just going wild with water and talcum powder.

It’s fun to watch them go wild in the city of Phnom Penh, turning random expats into bemused-looking plaster-cast figures.

As expected, during this time, many Cambodians flock over to Angkor, so if you think it’s crowded during normal daytime hours at Angkor, you will be in for a shock. It is absolute madness during Chaul Chnam Khmer.

So, if you’re looking for a quiet, reflective, and meditative Angkor experience, it would be best to avoid booking hotels in Siem Reap or even going to Siem Reap altogether during this 3-day celebration. 

However, cities, especially the capital Phnom Penh, are very quiet during the New Year celebration, as most people who live and work in Phnom Penh were not born there.

They come from other provinces, such as Battambang, Kampong Cham, Kompong Thom, Svay Rieng, Takeo, Siem Reap, and others. If you’re coming to Siem Reap, you’ll be happy to know it has several unique places to eat.

Cambodian New Year History

Cambodian New Year is believed to have originated during the Angkorian era when Brahmanism, a form of Hinduism, was prevalent among the Khmer people.

Over time, Buddhism began to be associated with the festival and then became the basis for all the important rituals for the festival.

Another legend also says that Khmer New Year was birthed from an angel’s descent to Earth, symbolizing the promise of happiness and good weather for a prosperous harvest in the year ahead.

Why does Cambodia have a different New Year?

During Angkor times, New Year was celebrated 4 months earlier on the 1st day of the first lunar month. After the Angkor era, the lunar calendar was abandoned as the solar calendar gained popularity and was adopted.

The main reason for the change was practical; people had more time to celebrate during the start of the rainy season. Farmers had finished their fieldwork and harvested their crops, so they had more time to prepare for the festivities.

Therefore, one of the kings decided to change the New Year festival to April, to follow the solar calendar.

When is the Cambodian New Year being celebrated?

The Cambodian New Year is celebrated for three days starting either on the 13th or 14th of April, depending on leap years. If you intend to visit Cambodia for this festival, make sure to check the specific start date for the year you plan to go.

Cambodian New Year 2023 Dates and Animal

Khmer New Year 2023 will be celebrated from April 14 to April 16. Unlike other Cambodian holidays that follow the lunar calendar, the Cambodian New Year is set in April according to the Gregorian calendar (solar calendar).

2023 is the year of the Rabbit, symbolizing longevity, peace, and prosperity.

Cambodian New Year 2024 Dates and Animal

Cambodian New Year 2024 will be celebrated from April 13 to April 15. In 2024, it will be the year of the Dragon, signifying strength, energy, and good fortune.

Cambodian New Year Three-Day Schedule

Usually, the Cambodian New Year is celebrated for three days. Key rituals of the celebration include Buddha statue cleansing, prayers, and paying homage to ancestors.

Water also plays a significant role, with spirited water fights signifying the cleansing of past misfortunes and the ushering in of fresh hope and positivity.

First Day: Sankranti or Moha Songkran

On the first day of the Khmer New Year, known as “Moha Songkran,” a new deity or angel is chosen to safeguard the planet for the coming year.

One of seven angels is assigned every year depending on the day on which the New Year falls to protect the world for the coming year.

So, to welcome him, people would clean, decorate their houses, and dress appropriately to make sure that the New Year does not start with bad luck or unhappiness.

Each home prepares a traditional offering station to welcome the new god or angel individually by offering a table full of fruits, desserts with candles, incense sticks decorated with hand-ornated flowers, and flashing lights to ensure that the house and the family are protected for the rest of the year.

Cambodian traditional offerings usually consist of:

• A Buddha statue
• 5 incense sticks, and 5 candles
• 3 kinds of fruits, prepared into 2 trays
• A pair of decorated young banana tree
• Every offering is decorated with small jasmine flower braids

Cambodian parents are very conservative when it comes to the interactions with their daughters, but around New Year, it is the only time when young Cambodians are allowed to meet and engage in mixed play with the opposite gender, so many young men take this opportunity to look for potential brides.

That’s one of many Cambodian traditions. So, beware girls, if you’re a traveler and you notice the males are a little wild and frisky in comparison to other days.

Second Day: Virak Vanabat or Wanabat

The second day of the New Year is called “Wanabat”, the day of giving. As part of a tradition, gifts are usually given to your parents, grandparents, and the elderly to show your appreciation and love. In the evening, at the wat, monks chant to give blessings.

Cambodian New Year is very much a family celebration, so people who usually work far away from their families in other provinces would take a day off to come to celebrate with their families.

On the second day, Cambodian families gather at temples to remember their ancestors. They also donate money, food, and other things to the underprivileged based on what they can afford.

Various fun and traditional games are also held on the second day.

Third Day: Vearak Loeng Sak ot Tanai Lieang Saka

On the third day of the New Year, called “Tanai Lieang Saka”, a new beginning, we are once again at the wat, seeking the blessings of the monks, and lighting incense to wish prosperity and joy to families and friends on this new beginning.

We also use fragrant water to purify Buddha statues and their elders. This ceremonial act symbolizes cleansing away sorrow and sinful behaviors, just as clean water washes away dirt. Washing our parents, grandparents, and elders brings blessings, joy, and a positive direction for the year ahead to us, children.

In the afternoon, a joyful farewell celebration is held in the streets, and in public places, people pour water on each other to wash away their “bap”, sins. Children and teenagers throw baby powder and flour at each other.

Cambodian New Year Food

If you grew up in a Khmer household, it’s no secret that there’s always delicious food being served. However, during the three days of Cambodian New Year, families take it up a notch, serving an impressive array of traditional dishes. These dishes are not only for the living but also a heartfelt offering to their ancestors.

Nom Ansom – a versatile dish that can be a sweet sticky rice dessert or savory made with bacon, nuts, and a salted egg filling.

Kralan – a steamed glutinous rice cake with coconut milk and nuts, packed inside bamboo pieces, and then steamed and roasted.

Khmer curry – a rich, aromatic curry made with coconut milk, chicken, potatoes, sweet potatoes, eggplants, green beans, and red curry paste called kroeung. It’s similar to Thai red curry, but not as spicy, rather a perfect balance of sweetness, spiciness, and richness.

Khmer Fish Amok – steamed fish curry with aromatic herbs, and coconut sauce resulting in a mousse-like consistency. It is considered one of Cambodia’s national dishes.

Ya Hon – is a savory hot pot that typically includes fresh ingredients like vegetables, meats, and noodles, all cooked at the table. It’s a heartwarming representation of shared moments and flavors during the Cambodian New Year.

Cambodian New Year Games

Cambodian New Year is the time to watch the many traditional plays being showcased, to enjoy Khmer traditional dancing, rope pulling contests, and many other games with their family and friends.

Traditionally, it is also the only time when young boys and girls are supposed to play together. It’s also a period when young men often look for potential brides.

Here are some of the traditional games that are played during Cambodian New Year:

Chol Chhoung involves two teams, one of the boys and one of the girls, who stand in rows opposite each other. A tied-up scarf, known as “chhoung,” is tossed between them. When a player catches it, they quickly aim it at someone they like in the opposite row. If the Chhoung hits its target, that person leads their team in singing and dancing until it’s passed back to the other side, and the process repeats.

Ongkhun is a competition between two teams, where one team pushes their round, hard seeds called ongkhuns into the ground for targets. The other team attempts to hit these targets with their own ongkhuns. The team that hits the most targets wins and has the opportunity to tap the knees of the losing team members, a rather painful consequence due to the hardness of the seeds.

Teagn Prot – Tug of War pits male and female teams against each other in an epic battle of strength. The goal is to pull the rope and the opposing team into their own playing field, and this game holds significant cultural value.

Bos Angkunh revolves around the nuts of the Angkunh tree. Two teams face each other and place Angkunh nuts on the ground in front of them. Various formations are used, with the goal of outplaying the opponent. The specifics of the game can vary, but it’s always a challenging and engaging competition.

Chab Kon Kleng is a game played by adults, with one player mimicking a protective hen and another player emulating a crow. The other participants act as chicks hiding behind the “hen,” and the “crow” tries to catch as many “chicks” as possible.

Leak Kanseng is a circle game where one player holds a “Kanseng” (Cambodian towel), walks around the circle, and sings. While singing, the player secretly places the “Kanseng” behind one of the other players. The player must then jump up and pursue the one who now holds the “Kanseng.” If they don’t catch them, the game continues with the “Kanseng” passed to another player.

Bay Khom is a two-player game played in rural or urban areas. It involves ten holes in the shape of an oval dug into the ground. Small pearls, stones, or fruit seeds are used as game pieces. The objective is to strategically move these pieces between holes, with the player who accumulates the most beads emerging as the winner.

Breaking Pot is a popular game where thin clay pots with flour and a small price (usually something sweet) are hung on a rope between trees. The aim of the game is to smash one of the pots with a stick while blindfolded. The player follows the direction of the screaming crowd and tries to find the right position to hit the pot. If the player hits the pot, there is a flour “shower” while the others already collect the sweets from the ground.

FAQs: Cambodian New Year

I love the reflective aspect of the New Year at the start of January. It’s a time to look back and see how many of the goals you set at the beginning of the year have been accomplished by the end of the year.

But, I also love the light and playful Cambodian New Year; the family gathering, and especially, the food, food, and more food. How do you celebrate your New Year? Do you have any unique traditions around it?