In mid-April, as harvest ends and seasons change, the Khmer community in Tay Ninh joyfully celebrates Chol Chnam Thmay. This festival is a vivid expression of Khmer cultural identity, uniting the community through ancestor remembrance, family blessings, and traditional rituals.
Join MLifeOn on a trip to Tay Ninh to discover the unique beauty of this special festival.
Tracing back to ancient origins
The Chol Chnam Thmay festival originates from a legend related to the transition between Brahmanism and Buddhism, revolving around a battle of wits between the god Kabul Maha Prum (the four-faced Brahma) and the intelligent boy Thom Ma Bal (a previous incarnation of the Buddha).
Because Thom Ma Bal won the challenge of three questions, Kabul Maha Prum had to decapitate himself as per the initial agreement.
After his death, the god's seven daughters took turns descending to earth to bring peace and favorable weather to humanity.
From then on, the Khmer people considered the day when the celestial maidens (the seven daughters of Kabul Maha Prum) descended to earth as the beginning of the new year, giving rise to the Chol Chnam Thmay festival, with signifies wishing for good fortune and a bountiful harvest.
This special traditional Tet holiday usually takes place from April 14-16, when the winter-spring harvest has just ended (the transitional period), when the weather is clear, nature is flourishing, and trees are green. This is also an ideal time for people to rest, recharge their energy, and usher in a new cycle of nature.
For the Khmer people in Tay Ninh, these days are not only a milestone marking the new year, but also a sacred moment for people to connect with nature, with their community, and with the spiritual beliefs that have been preserved for generations.
The ceremonial part - a particularly solemn aspect
During the Chol Chnam Thmay New Year celebrations, Khmer temples in Tay Ninh become centers of spiritual life. For the Khmer people, visiting the temple is not just a mandatory ritual, but also a journey back to their cultural roots and religious beliefs.
Chung Rut Pagoda, Tay Ninh province, during Chol Chnam Thmay festival.
The ritual includes:
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Offering incense and making offerings to Buddha to celebrate the New Year: This is the opening ritual, signifying the farewell to the old year's deity and the welcoming of the new year's deity, praying for a year of favorable weather, abundant harvests, and prosperity.
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Bathing the Buddha statue with fragrant water: This ritual symbolizes purification, washing away the misfortunes of the old year, and expressing reverence for the Buddha.
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Praying for peace for the family: Khmer people believe that praying for peace in the first days of the year will bring peace, health, and happiness to the whole family.
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Building sand mounds: This ritual carries multiple layers of meaning: it symbolizes cultivating merit and cleansing sins, and is also a way for the Khmer people to remember their ancestors and pray for divine protection.
ritual of bathing the Buddha statue
ritual of bathing the Buddha statue
building sand mounds
building sand mounds
Pray for peace
Visiting the temple during this time, tourists will feel the sacred atmosphere enveloping them. The sound of temple bells echoes through the air, the fragrant incense smoke blends with prayers for peace, creating a solemn and warm atmosphere. The Khmer temple roofs with their vibrant patterns, the majestic Buddha statues, all contribute to making the ceremony an experience that is both sacred and intimate.
It can be said that the ceremony during Chol Chnam Thmay is the culmination of beliefs, traditions, and community spirit. It not only helps people find peace of mind but also affirms the Khmer cultural identity in the heart of Tay Ninh.
The atmosphere during the ceremony was sacred and solemn.
The festival - the joy of the community
While the ceremonial part brings solemnity and religious significance, the festive part is when the Khmer community in Tay Ninh immerses itself in a vibrant and joyful atmosphere, where happiness and unity are most clearly expressed.
Khmer traditional dance and song
Khmer mask dance
Traditional Khmer drum dance
Graceful folk dances, the lively sounds of drums and music fill the temple courtyard. Khmer boys and girls, dressed in vibrant traditional costumes, dance and sing together, reenacting folk tales and aspirations for a bountiful harvest and a happy life. This is not just entertainment, but also a way for the community to preserve and pass on its cultural identity to the younger generation.
Folk games
blindfolded pot-smashing game
The festive atmosphere is further enlivened by group games such as tug-of-war and bamboo pole jumping. These games are not only entertaining but also demonstrate solidarity and coordinated teamwork among community members. Participants enjoy themselves, improve their health, and strengthen community bonds.
The "Water Splashing - Flour Fighting" Festival
The "Water Splashing and Flour Throwing" festival is an indispensable part of the Chol Chnam Thmay New Year, bringing joy, togetherness, and a cleansing meaning. People splash water on each other with the belief that the cool, refreshing water will wash away bad luck and bring good fortune for the new year. The act of smearing or throwing flour on each other's bodies and faces during these days is to avoid misfortune in the new year. Therefore, during Chol Chnam Thmay, visitors will easily spot faces smeared with white flour, smiling brightly, and clothes both covered in flour and wet.
Laughter echoed throughout the temple grounds, the water and white flour swirling in the April sun, creating a scene that was both lively and sacred.
The festive part of Chol Chnam Thmay is not only a community celebration but also an affirmation of Khmer cultural identity, where beliefs, art, games, and cuisine blend together, creating a vibrant picture of the spiritual life of the Khmer people in Tay Ninh.
Conclusion
The Chol Chnam Thmay New Year in Tay Ninh is a testament to Vietnam's cultural diversity. Despite the differences in form, a common thread remains: the aspiration for peace, happiness, and new beginnings.
Visiting Tay Ninh during the Chol Chnam Thmay New Year, tourists not only immerse themselves in the vibrant festive atmosphere but also experience the profound culture of the Khmer community, an integral part of the country's diverse tapestry.
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CREDIT:
- Photography: Kien Trang
- Content: Giang Huynh
- Design: Phuong Nguyen
