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Cambodia respectful on Ancestors DayCambodia Ancestor’s Day: September 24,2009

Ancestor’s Day is a Religious Holiday celebrated in Cambodia

In Cambodia, reverance for older people extends further than holding a door open for old ladies In Cambodia, even the dead are given their own day, which is called Ancestor’s Day. The festival is also known as Spirits Day. This festival is held according to a certain time during the Khmer calendar.This is a time when the spirits of the dead ancestors walk the Earth and the living can ease their suffering by offering them food to eat. This year’s festival falls on 24th September.

Cambodia Ancestor’s Day History

According to the Buddhist religion (which is followed by some 80% of Cambodians), actions in our current life determine what kind of afterlife we will have. If for instance, a minor sin is commited in life, this will be punished with a relatively small punishment in the afterlife - such as being given a small mouth as a ghost.With a small mouth, it is hard to eat. If a larger sin is committed, then a worse punishment will ensue, such as having no mouth at all.

General belief puts it that during this period, the Demon (King of hell) will release all the spirits ( the dead that cannot make their way to heaven or to reincarnation) to roam the world. Those roaming spirits are not afraid of the light.Due to all the punishment they suffer in the hell, these spirits are very starving and ugly.

For the whole 15 days, they will search all the pagodas in the neighbourhood of their relatives places for food dedicated to them.They can only receive what is sent to them as sharing is not a habit among them. As a consequence, spirits without anything to eat are likely to place a spell or curse on their families. The curse could result in bad luck for a whole year, or worse!Due to this reason, each family’s representative always makes it to the pagoda no matter how busy or poor he or she is.

Cambodian Ancestor’s Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

The Cambodians celebrate this festival in a unique and original fashion.It is a 15 day long event.During Dak Ben, the neighborhood of a pagoda is divided into 14 groups.Each group is responsible for one day celebration of the event according to the timetable issued by the pagoda.Despite the division, crossing from one group to another is still allowed and welcomed.Each day the people responsible bring Bay Ben (fragrant sticky rice cooked with coconut milk), food and some other offerings to the pagoda to offer to the monks.The last day Pchum Ben is the most auspicious day of the event where everyone celebrates, meets and has fun.

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