Khmer New Year

Cambodians are so lucky:  They get to celebrate three New Years.  First is International New Years on January 1.  Second is Chinese New Year around February, which is not a government holiday, but many businesses close and people take off work.  Third, and most important, is Khmer New Year, which Cambodia just celebrated this week.

Khmer New Year is held in April, at the end of the harvest season for farmers.  Cambodians travel home to be with their families and celebrate for three days.  Khmer New Year traditions include: 

• Cleaning your house and making purchases so that everything is "new" for the new year
• Setting up a shrine in your home where you pray for good fortune in the new year
• Bringing offerings to the monks at the Buddhist temples
• Bathing Buddha statues and elders (such as your parents) in perfumed water
• Participating in traditional games and dances

Many organizations hold a Khmer New Year celebration for their staff.  The U.S. Embassy was no different.  Our celebration started with monks offering a blessing for the new year.

Monks chant their blessing to the U.S. Embassy community

Then we were treated to traditional dances, both by professionals and our own talented staff.

Professional dancers perform the "Blessing Dance"

The highlight of the performances was a costume show of American staff wearing traditional outfits, complete with props and choreographed steps.

Dave and Laura showcase the "Fishing Dance" costumes

Sergio and Veronica smile in their "Krovanh Fruit Dance" costumes

After the performances, we started in on the games, which include Cambodian versions of tug-of-war, musical chairs, and sack races.  Eventually, the band kicked into high gear, and all party-goers danced into the night.