NOUVEL AN KHMER (TCHAUL TCHNAM)

The Khmer New Year, which marks the beginning of the solar calendar year, is celebrated with pomp and circumstance around the middle of April. This is the same period as the Thai New Year or the Lao New Year. However, while the Southeast Asian neighbors' rituals are mostly pagan and revolve around water, the Khmer New Year is somewhat more complex, and more centered around ancestral traditions. The religious rites that celebrate the entry into the new year are :

The erection of sand mounts representing the great mountains of Indian cosmology, dominated by Mount Meru, supposedly the axis of the world. This ceremony is celebrated in the Silver Pagoda of the Royal Palace as well as in the monasteries and the most humble houses of the kingdom.

The sprinkling of the king with consecrated water by the Baku (Brahmins), descendants of the former royal chaplains. Then comes the sprinkling of perfumed water by the sovereign of the effigy of the Buddha, followed by the bath of the monks.

The presentation of the vows of the royal family, mandarins and officials, followed by the taking of the oath of loyalty.

The presentation of the vows of the diplomatic corps.

In the villages, the people in festival organize traditional games reserved for this only occasion (alternate songs, jousts opposing male and female teams, dance of Trott, etc.). Thousands of people gather to pray and feast in the ancient monuments. This festival is very important for Cambodians, so in the days immediately preceding it, do not expect to make anyone work. The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, for example (but it's the same everywhere), is decorated with advertisements in the colors of Angkor beer, and everyone is busy preparing for the evening party. Whatever your problem is, apart from delivering letters or making a phone call, don't even think about getting an answer other than "come back next week", so smile and wait.. Avoid going to Sihanoukville or Siem Reap, Cambodians are moving there en masse, so these places are overcrowded, the prices of hotels and restaurants are multiplied by three, and, if you are really lucky, jellyfish and particularly ferocious sand fleas will also be present..