Khmer New Year, known in Cambodia as Choul Chnam Thmey, is one of the country’s most significant and joyous celebration, marking the traditional solar New Year. Observed annually in the middle of April, it is a time of spiritual renewal, familial bonding, and vibrant festivity.
Origins and Meaning
Rooted in ancient Hindu and Buddhist traditions, Khmer New Year signifies the sun’s transition into the Aries zodiac. This celestial event heralds the end of the harvest season and the onset of the rainy season, a period vital for Cambodia’s agrarian society. The festival embodies themes of purification, gratitude, and hope for prosperity in the coming year.
Traditional Activities
The three-day celebration is rich with rituals and communal activities:
🪷 Day 1: Maha Sangkran
The name Maha Sangkran comes from the Sanskrit word Sankranta, meaning “movement” or “transition,” with Maha meaning “great.” This marks the significant turning point from the old year to the new. On this day, Cambodians wear their best traditional clothes and visit temples to offer incense, flowers, and other offerings. A special ritual involves washing one’s hands in the morning, chest at noon, and feet in the evening — a symbolic act of purification and welcoming good fortune.
It’s also a time of reflection, renewal, and New Year resolutions. Families gather, and communities come alive with music, dance, and fireworks. While Cambodia’s water festivities during Sangkran may be more subdued compared to Thailand, they remain deeply meaningful. The gentle splashing of water represents blessings, cleansing, and well-wishing. Children enthusiastically join in with water guns, buckets, and hoses, and some seek purification and merit through water blessings from monks.
🙏 Day 2: Veareak Vanabat
The second day focuses on acts of compassion and gratitude. Known as Veareak Vanabat, it encourages people to support the less fortunate and perform good deeds. Many take this opportunity to donate food and supplies or volunteer in their communities. Families also visit monasteries to pay respect to ancestors.
In the evening, families gather at temples to build symbolic sand stupas. A large central mound, representing the Buddha, is surrounded by four smaller ones symbolizing his chief disciples. These spiritual monuments are created as acts of devotion and offerings of merit.
🌼 Day 3: Veareak Laeung Sak
The final day of Khmer New Year, Veareak Laeung Sak, symbolizes the official start of the new year with fresh hopes and clean slates. A key ritual called Pithi Srang Preah involves bathing Buddha statues with scented water, a gesture to wash away misdeeds and invite blessings. This act of cleansing extends to elders too — younger family members respectfully wash the hands and feet of their parents and grandparents as a sign of gratitude, respect, and renewal.
ItaCham: Bridging Italian and Cambodian Cultures
The Italian Business Chamber Cambodia (ItaCham), established in 2017, serves as a conduit for economic and cultural exchange between Italy and Cambodia. Through initiatives like art exhibitions, culinary events, and educational programs, ItaCham celebrates and promotes the rich heritages of both nations. Notably, ItaCham has facilitated over 40 cultural exchanges, including the production of the opera Madama Butterfly in Phnom Penh, attracting over 1,800 attendees.
In the spirit of Khmer New Year, ItaCham extends heartfelt wishes to the Cambodian community, recognizing the festival’s emphasis on renewal and togetherness. This celebration resonates with Italian traditions, such as the New Year’s Eve custom of discarding old items to welcome new beginnings, highlighting shared values of reflection and hope.
Both Italy and Cambodia cherish deep-rooted family ties, communal celebrations, and a profound appreciation for cultural heritage. Festivals like Khmer New Year and Italy’s Capodanno (New Year’s Day) underscore the universal human desire for renewal, joy, and connection. May this new year usher in prosperity, happiness, and strengthened bonds between our vibrant cultures.
Happy Khmer New Year!
Buon Anno Khmer!
Choul Chnam Thmey Su Sdei!
