Cambodian New Year is a celebration that coincides with the solar New Year as well as the end of the harvest season. This holiday is also celebrated in Laos and Thailand at the same time with similar traditions across all three countries. Typically, the beginning on the three-day New Year’s Celebration falls on either the 13th or 14th of April. This is one of the largest national holidays of the year for Laos, Thailand and Cambodia. The fact that the holiday falls right after the gathering and storing of the harvest is of great importance, as agriculture continues to be a major part of the economy in all three countries. At New Year’s, farmers can finally relax and enjoy spending time with family before the rainy season begins.
Prior to the New Year’s celebration, families will clean the entire house and purchase and prepare food for the upcoming three-day celebration. When the New Year arrives, there are major ceremonies at the temples for prayer and to honor Buddha. There are shows, performers and plenty of food and games for the entirety of the holiday.
While many celebrate Cambodian New Year’s throughout the entire month of April, the first three days of the celebration hold special importance. Day one represents the end of the old year and the beginning of the new. This is known in Khmer as Maha Songkran and is considered to be the day of creation. According to Khmer tradition, the earth was created by angels and people light candles and burn incense in their honor. There are also trays of fruits, drinks and sweet foods left out as an invitation to the ancestors to come and eat. On the first day of the New Year’s celebration, collective prayers take place, candles and incense are burned at home, and monks will receive food donations and in return give their blessing.
The second day of the New Year Celebration is dedicated to charitable giving. On this day, money or other charitable donations are given to those in need, children and the elderly will receive presents, and there is a ceremony at the end of the day dedicated to honoring ancestors. This day is known as Virak Wanabat.
The third day, Virak Loeng Sak, is known as a day of cleansing and is celebrated to ensure prosperity in the year to come. Images of Buddha are washed with perfumed water and parents and grandparents are washed in exchange for advice and best wishes. This is also a time for family to pay respect to their elders through these practices.
Due to Covid19 restrictions, many US cities have either cancelled or made changes to traditional celebrations that are held. In Stockton, the main temple cancelled all on-site celebrations in order to keep people safe during the pandemic. In Lowell, there are activities planned that are centered around social distancing guidelines. The Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association is holding events throughout the month of April. On the 13th, there will be a virtual countdown ceremony to welcome the Khmer New Year’s Angel; on the 14th, a raising of the Cambodian Flag at City Hall; then, on Saturday, the 17th, there will be a live virtual celebration featuring talented artists and performers from across the city. On Friday, the 30th, CMAA is hosting their first ever Khmer New Year’s Car Parade, which will traverse the streets of Lowell.
