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FireFlyz | 13
Songkran, Thailand, AprIL 13 – 15
Songkran is arguably the most significant event
for Thais. Officially, celebrations go on for three
days, but unofficially, certain parts of Thailand can
celebrate for up to a week, or more!
Songkran is from the Sanskrit word,
Samkranti
(lit. ‘Astrological Passage’) and is a celebration
and the reunification of families; where houses are
cleaned and temples are visited. The traditional
practice of
‘Rod NamDumHua’
on the first day sees
young people pouring fragrant water into the palms
of their elders to honour them, signifying humility
and deference as well as to ask for their blessings.
Additionally, there’s your kingdom-mandated mega
water parties, too.
This profuse use of water is not baseless, though
– at its core, water symbolically cleanses and renews;
the latter being especially important given the birth of
a new year. Thais are a very measured, polite people,
and originally took to using bowls to pour water on
their families, friends and neighbours to ritually and
symbolically cleanse them.
Despite its deep religious roots, the modern-day
Songkran
is now an almost secular affair. Whilst
tradition continues with Thais, tourists travel all the
way to Thailand to grab a piece of the fun despite the
fact that most businesses are closed for the period.
Chaul Chnam Thmey, Cambodia,
AprIL 14 – 16
Chaul Chnam Thmey (lit. ‘Enter New
Year’ in Khmer) recognises the start of
the Cambodian (Khmer) New Year and
the end of the harvest season. Major cities
like Phnom Penh would be rather quiet
as most head back to their villages to
celebrate with family and friends alike.
Games, dance and social interaction
would occur, although they are relatively
subdued when compared to the exuber-
ance of festivals like Songkran.
The first day,
Maha Songkran
, wel-
comes ‘New Angels’. Homes are cleaned,
and offerings are prepared and blessed
by monks.
The second day,
Vanabot
(or
Virak
Wanabat
) sees Cambodians performing
charity for the less fortunate. It is also a
day to remember elders, as families visit
temples to build sand stupas (sand sculp-
tures resembling Pagodas) in a dedication
ceremony to their ancestors.
On the last day,
Thngai Lieng Sak
(or
Virak Loeurng Sak
), Buddhists visit
temples to wash their elders as well as
statues of Buddha with fragrant water. As
water is the symbol of the essence of life, it
is thought that washing Buddha statues is
a kind deed that can bring longevity, good
luck, happiness, and prosperity in life.
Cambodian monks wash Buddha statues. This
washing is a form of ‘merit making’, where good
deeds are done as part of the celebrations.
Photo credit: Sam Sith (Flickr: samsith)
SongkranWater Festival
- even animals get wet!
Super-soaker fun!
Dancers performing
for Khmer New Year
- Photo credit: Narin
Bl (Flickr: bnarin)