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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, respect for older people extends further than holding the door for old ladies. The Cambodians even have a whole day dedicated to respect for their deceased relatives, called the Festival of the Dead.It is also known as the 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 it will be celebrated on 24th September.

Understanding the history of Dead Spirits Day

Cambodia has 80 percent Buddhists population and according to Buddhist beliefs, the lives that we live after death, are predicated by the actions that we took when we were living. Punishment for misnomers will come in the afterlife. For instance, a small punishment might be to have a small mouth as a ghost. Small mouths being far harder to eat food from.Other, more severe, punishments could include being crippled or 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. The spirits released are not afraid of light. Due to their not being allowed into heaven, the spirits have suffered terribly and are rather ugly by this stage.

For fifteen days, the spirits will roam around looking for food - they can usually find it in Pagodas where such food is left for them.They can only receive what is sent to them as sharing is not a habit among them. If nothing has been left for them, the family of the relative can expect a curse or spell to be cast on them.Of course, the curse is never good and their relatives might face ill luck for the whole year. Because of this, most families are likely to leave an offering at the tomb of their deceased relatives.

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.| The whole event lasts over two weeks.| The festival actually lasts a total of fifteen days. THe first fourteen days of the festival is named Dak Ben. During this time, a Pagoda will be divided into fourteen separate areas or groups. The community then shares the duties of maintaining the Pagoda for this time with one party responsible for a separate area.Despite the division, crossing from one group to another is still allowed and welcomed. Those responsible on the day will bring sticky rice and coconut milk as an offering for the spirits. On the 15th day, the community celebrates and uses the time to lets its hair down.

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