Welcoming the Year of the Dragon, by Traveling

A Cambodian dancer wears mask during a merit making ceremony at Cambodia's Ministry of Information in Phnom Penh, file photo. (Photo: AP)

Monday, 16 April 2012
Kong Sothanarith, VOA Khmer | Kratie province, Cambodia

“It’s our first time, and we enjoyed it very much.”

Around 1.8 million Cambodians took the occasion of the New Year to travel around the country this year, with some sites seeing much higher traffic than previous years.

Cambodian tourists traveled mainly to the coast and the northeast provinces, according to the Ministry of Tourism.

At the Kampi swim site, on the Mekong River in Kratie province, many came to dip, splash around and relax.

Muslims Enjoy Khmer New Year, Quietly

By Ros Sothea, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
28 April 2009

Sitting on a small wooden bed inside a new mosque on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, So Pey Tah, a 50-year-old Muslim, sat talking with neighbors as all around her, Khmer compatriots were loudly celebrating the New Year.

Cambodia’s predominant Buddhists observe a lunar new year, in mid-April, in raucous celebrations that include three days of revelry, water fights, late-night dances and trips to the pagodas.

So Pey Tah, on the other hand, like most of Cambodia’s 500,000 Muslims, observed the holiday without burning offerings to the incoming spirit of the new year, selling sweets instead.

“We have to celebrate it together because we’re living in the same country,” she said. “But for me, we don’t make any offerings to welcome a new god, because we have a different religion.”

Adherents of Islam believe in one god, Allah, while Cambodian Buddhists mix animism with Theravada Buddhism, in customs influenced by ancient Hinduism.

Cambodia’s Muslims, commonly referred to as Chams, celebrate important Islamic holidays, such as the Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca, and Ramadan, a period of fasting, said Suos Komrey, Cambodia’s prime Islamic leader, or mufti.

“All Cambodian Muslims can freely celebrate Khmer New Year but are not allowed to go to the pagoda for prayer,” he said.

However, Loh Abdul Rosman, imam of the Kilometer 9 Mosque, outside Phnom Penh, said it was an individual’s right to pray at a pagoda, even a Muslim.

Meanwhile, many Muslim youths enjoyed New Year celebrations.

“I feel happier than usual,” 20-year-old Meut Salah told VOA Khmer as the holiday was underway. “We are playing popular games with other Chams every night.”

Long Beach Cambodian New Year Celebration Saturday

04/23/2009
By Greg Mellen, Staff writer
Long Beach Press Telegram (California, USA)

LONG BEACH -- The Cambodian Coordinating Council is hoping the year of the ox proves less complicated than the recently completed year of the rat.

On Saturday, the Cambodian community wraps up New Year festivities with its annual celebration at El Dorado Park.

Community organizers thought they smelled a rat last year when the cost for city services at the celebration and the related Cambodian New Year parade on Anaheim Avenue spiked 60 percent from $25,000 to $40,000.

David Ashman, manager of Special Events, explained that in past years the city and the office of former councilwoman Laura Richardson, had absorbed costs that it could not longer take on in the recent economic climate.

A plan has been set up for organizers to pay back a $40,000 shortfall to the city and pare down this year's bills.

"We're still not happy with the price," said Dan Durke, one of the event organizers, who said his group is still trying to get an exact accounting of past bills and devise a better way of tracking funds in the future.

At particular issue is a bill of more than $20,000 for police and park rangers for the celebration alone.

Sticker shock aside, organizers remain upbeat looking to the weekend. Although ticket sales for the event have been sluggish, history has showed that the celebration gets its biggest lift on the day of the event.

An inaugural red carpet after-party this year has drawn a fair amount of advance interest. That event will begin at 7 p.m. after the festivities at El Dorado Park end and will feature a fashion show of some of the work of local Cambodian designer Remy Hou, screening of the trailer for the award-winning film "Residue," about the CIA's involvement in Cambodia in 1970 and its tragic aftermath. There will also be dinner and live music.

Anthony Kim, an organizer, said more than 300 have showed interest and reservations are filling fast.

Organizers hope the El Dorado Park celebration will draw upwards of the 15,000 people who usually attend, although there is fear the downturn in the economy could dampen the numbers, particularly among those who travel from distant communities to attend and make a weekend of the celebration.

As usual the day will feature performances from an eclectic mix of artists ranging from local singers who perform regularly at Cambodian restaurants, to folklorico dancers, to Cambodian rapper Prach Ly.

There will also be traditional Cambodian New Year games and religious and cultural observances.

Greg Mellen 562-499-1291 greg.mellen@presstelegram.com

CAMBODIAN NEW YEAR

The big celebration
Where: El Dorado Park, Area III, 7550 E. Spring St.
When: Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission: $33 per carload, plus $7 parking fee.
Information: Cambodian Coordinating Council 562-326-3797

Red Carpet After Party
Where: New Paradise Restaurant, 1350 Anaheim St.
When: Saturday, 7 p.m. to midnight
Admission: $35 advance, $40 at door
Information: Remy Hou 310-405-3314 or remy@engineeredbyremy.com

Khmer New Year celebration

Cambodian Buddhist monks bless the holy water as followers make donations during a merit making ceremony Tuesday, April 14, 2009, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The ceremony was held in advance of Cambodian New Year's celebration which lasts for three days, from April 14 through 16 this year. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
Cambodian Buddhist followers clean a Buddha statue during a merit making ceremony Tuesday, April 14, 2009, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The ceremony was held in advance of Cambodian New Year's celebration which lasts for three days, from April 14 through 16 this year. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
Cambodians clean a statue Buddha during a merit making ceremony Tuesday, April 14, 2009, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The ceremony was held in advance of Cambodian New Year's celebration which lasts for three days, from April 14 through 16 this year. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

Police Prepare for New Year Security

By Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
13 April 2009

National police are preparing to widen their presence at traditional Buddhist New Year sites, strengthening security as a three-day holiday begins Tuesday.

Police in Phnom Penh and across the country will be deployed at pagodas, gardens and any other place where revelers tend to gather, to prevent theft and gambling, police officials said Monday.

“We take action to protect people’s security every year,” said a spokesman for the Ministry of Interior, Lt. Gen. Khieu Sopheak. “Many police are deployed in areas where festivities are held.”

During the three days of the New Year festival, “police have no holiday,” he said.

Police and traffic police will be spread out from Tuesday to Thursday, which marks the beginning of the Buddhist year 2533, the Year of the Ox.

The New Year is a time for people to return to their homes, be with families, pray for the dead at pagodas, and, for the young, play traditional games and dance in the streets. But it can also be a time of negligence and danger.

Phnom Penh firefighters, for example, will also be on alert, working 24-hour shifts, in case of fires in the homes of the myriad people who will leave town this week, possibly leaving on their gas stoves, lights or appliances, Deputy Phnom Penh Governor Man Chhoeun said Monday.

Last year, two large fires within Phnom Penh started just ahead of the new year, one in Tuol Kork district, of 40 homes, and one in Stung Meanchey, which destroyed hundreds of homes.

Phnom Penh Police Chief Brig. Gen. Touch Naroth said Monday he had already met with city officials about “tightening security” in the capital.

“Now police have received orders already from the Ministry of Interior to go to the places where villagers gather,” he said.

Khmer New Year Celebration at Cambodian Dhammaram Temple in Waialua, Hawaii

Click on any of the images above to zoom in

Committees of Cambodian-American Buddhist Association of Hawaii (CABAH) would like to invite members and guests to come join our important Cambodian New Year Celebration (Bon Chol Chnam Khmer) on the following schedule. Bon Chol Chnam is very important annual Celebration for all Cambodians to have family reunion, cultural show, entertainment, and cultivate goodness/merits for their life.

WHEN:

Saturday, April 11, 2009

• 02:30 PM: arrival of all participants and guests at Cambodian Dhammaram Temple or Dhammaram Asrama: Parita Chanting

Sunday, April 12, 2009

• 9:00 AM - Arrival of all participants and guests : Worship Triple Gem, Observe Five Precepts, Offering Food to Monks, Meditate and Pray for Well-being of Our Ancestors as well as all Beings.
• 11:30 AM: All participants have lunch

Note: Khmer New Year will be inaugurated (Chlong) in Sunday, April 12, 2009 to conduct Sand Mount, Buddha Bath, Khmer Dance, Khmer Music and play Traditional Games.

There will be an election to choose the Permanent Board Members after Lunch time.

WHERE:

Address: 67067A Kaelohanui St., Waialua, HI 96791
(Across the street from Waialua High School’s Basketball Court)

Click here for a map to the venue location

Announcement for Khmer New Year celebration in San Jose, California

Click on the poster to see the venue location and date

Young hoodlums creating havoc during New Year celebration in Kampong Cham province

14 April 2008
By Or Phearith
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by KI-Media

On 14 April, a civil society official from Kampong Cham province indicated that groups of young hoodlums created havoc during the first day of the New Year celebration in Prey Chhor district, and they disrupted the revelers of the New Year celebration.

Neang Savath, an official of the Adhoc human rights organization, indicated that on the first day of the New Year celebration, groups of young hoodlums created havoc along 4 public roads in 4 communes, and the havoc took place one after another. Because of these incidents, a number of villagers prevented their children from going out to enjoy themselves in public celebrations during the New Year festivities.

Neang Savath said: “The problem of insecurity during the first day (of the New year celebration) was very serious. In the 4 incident cases, the parents were watchful and they did not allow their children to go out very much, they are concerned about fistfights that can take place.”

Neang Savath indicated also that during the first day of the New Year, along the north of the Prey Toteung market located in Tuol Chambok village, a group of 4 young motorcyclists came from Kor village, the four were beaten up by youngsters from Chambok village and they were injured for no apparent cause. The local police also claimed that the fight took place for no apparent cause. However, the police indicated that it arrested 3 groups of young hoodlums, but it did not indicate how many youngsters were actually arrested.

Neang Savath indicated, that based on his own eyewitness of the incident, in Tong Rong commune, near the tall houses area, a group of 4-5 young hoodlums came over on their motorcycles. When they arrived at a rice field, they came down from their motorbikes and started beating another group of youngsters sitting there for no apparent cause. Regarding this incident, Ieng Peng Thai, the Tong Rong commune police chief, claimed that a group of 4 youngsters came by motorcycles and stopped at the rice fields near the tall house area to buy alcoholic palm juice, then they went on to beat up other village youngsters from that area for no apparent reason. However, the village youngsters used their belts to beat the motorcycle youngsters back and cause them minor injuries on the neck. The police chief said that this incident did not instill fear among the villagers who were celebrating the New Year festivities.

Ieng Peng Thai added: “It was nothing major, I made the arrangement between those injured on both sides, they are all related to one another: the victims and the perpetrators.”

Neang Savath indicated also that in Khvit and Chrey Vien communes, there were also fistfights among groups of youngsters along public roads. He said these incidents instilled fear among the villagers and disrupt their festivity celebration during the New Year. However, Suon Ruos, the Prey Chhor district deputy criminal police inspector indicated that the havoc created by these young hoodlums will no longer be a problem between now and the end of the New Year celebration.

Suon Ruos said: “The inspector (chief) had set up a detailed plan, maybe there won’t be any problem (anymore). During the eating, the kids had some minor verbal altercations only. There will always be some incident happening.”

The Adhoc official indicated the havocs created by the young hoodlums in 4 locations in Prey Chhor district appear to be more ferocious than those in the previous years.

Gang Beats Policeman Unconscious

By Mean Veasna, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh
14 April 2008

One policeman was knocked unconscious and another one injured following an altercation with a “gang” on the second day of New Year celebrations in Bantey Meanchey province, officials said.

Policeman Meas Samuth, one of the injured, said his colleague was conducting a traffic investigation following a collision between a motorcycle and child, when a “two gangs” began blowing whistles.

“My friend asked them to stop,” he said, adding that they told the group the police were working.

“They did not stop,” Meas Samuth said. “And then my friend asked them to give him the whistle, but they didn’t want to.”

A fracas ensued, and the youths began beating the police, knocking one of them out, Meas Samuth said.

“They started fighting me, and I ran around like they were fighting a dog,” he said.

Ten teenagers were arrested following the fight, said Yort Roy, a police official in Banthey Meanchey.

Cambodian people celebrate their traditional New year

Food offering for the monks
Bathing the statue of Lord Buddha

13 April 2008
By Uk Sav Borey
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by KI-Media

The traditional New Year celebration by the Cambodian people is starting from today. Along various pagodas, the sound of monks chanting can be heard to commemorate those who have departed, and also to ask for well being.

Ms. Im Roeun, who is listening to monks chanting at the Wat Champuvoan pagoda, said that, as a custom and tradition for Cambodian people, prior to the New Year, those who remember their parents, grandparents, usually bring food as offerings to the monks and they pray to commemorate the spirit of those who have departed from this world. “During this celebration season, they have to come (to the pagoda) for the sake of their ancestors, they cannot miss it,” she said.

Pot Vann said that his parents and siblings died and he brought food to offer to the monks, and he hopes that his good deeds will benefit the spirit of his loved ones who died during the Pol Pot regime. He is also asking that all bad karmas (sins) be released from everybody: “I am (coming) to commemorate (my ancestors), let me be successful in my business, and let me be prosperous during this upcoming year.”

Pech Vannara, a young girl, said: “During the New Year day, I am coming to the Wat Champuvoan pagoda to build the sand mountain, to bathe the statue of Lord Buddha, and to bring foods for the monks to commemorate the spirits my grandparents, as well as all the seven generations of my relatives (who have departed from this world).”

Puth Uddam, a young boy, added that he came to celebrate with his parents and commemorate for his grandparents who died, he is asking that their spirits will bless him so that he study well in school and that he passes his exams: “I came to the pagoda to bathe the statue of Lord Buddha and to build the sand mountain to free myself from all my sins.”

After offering their foods to the monks, children and adults alike went to bathe the statue of Lord Buddha.

A lady, Neam Nek, who came from Prey Trea village and who is busy building the sand mountain, said: “I am leaving all my karmas (sins) with this sand mountain.”

Sok Lim, a member of the Wat Champuvoan pagoda committee, said that during the first day of the New Year celebration, pagoda members brought a huge amount of foods for the monks. He said that, in spite of the rising inflation, the foods brought as offerings to the monks are more plentiful than last year.

Buth Khin, a criminal police officer from Chom Chao commune, said that police officers are taking turn providing security to the people, and preventing thefts and robberies, fighting or problems against the New Year revelers.

Streets in the city of Phnom Penh are much quieter than usual. Some houses and state buildings are hanging up the Cambodian national flag along with a banner stating “Happy New Year”. However, along shops and private schools, no decoration and banners can be seen, unlike during the first of January celebration.

Self-fulfillment: Hun Sen the first one to be cursed by the New Year Tevoda since he insulted Sam Rainsy right before the Khmer New Year?

Hun Sen asks political party not to anger the New Year Tevoda

Thursday, April 10, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Click here to read the article in which Hun Sen insulted opposition leader Sam Rainsy

Prime minister Hun Sen called on all political parties to stop insulting and attacking each others during the approach of the New Year celebration so as not to anger the New Year Tevoda (angel). In a speech given during the inauguration of the Hun Sen high school in Kampong Popil district, located in Pea Raing district, Prey Veng province, Hun Sen asked all political parties to stop insulting and attacking each others so as not to anger the New Year Tevoda. However, he said that, should the Tevoda be angry, the Tevoda should put a curse on those (parties that insult and attack other parties). Hun Sen added: “Some say this and that, look, I am asking everybody: can you be patient until the New Year celebration is over first? Let the kids and the people have fun. I am saying this not to prevent anybody, let our people dance and have fun during this New Year celebration first, because this occasion arrives only once a year only.”

Phnom Penh city is organizing large festivities for the New Year

Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

The city of Phnom Penh plans to organize large festivities for the 3-day National New Year. During a meeting held in the morning of 07 April, Kep Chuktema, the city governor, asked all public and private institutions in Phnom Penh city, as well as all pagodas, schools, factories, companies and every house to decorate their premises with colored lights, banners, national flags, religious flags, and to prepare incense sticks and candles as offering to Lord Buddha, and fruits and other offerings to welcome the New Year according to national custom and tradition. The city department of culture and fine arts will organize entertainment programs such as the “Choal Chhoung,” “Boh Ang-kunh,” rope pulling competition, shuttlecock kicking competition, hiding the handkerchief, dancing along public places, in particular at the Wat Phnom park and in the park located in front of Wat Botum pagoda. Besides these traditional games, the city hall will also organize a number of other competition games as well, such as climbing slippery poles, bag jumping, etc… During the first evening of the New Year, the city hall will light colored lights, and there will also be fireworks to welcome the New Year Tevoda (angel).