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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 elders extends further than holding a door open for old ladies Even the dead get their due during Prachum Benda, also called Ancestors’ Day or Festival of the Dead. The other popular name for this festival is Spirits Day, although it can also be called the Festival of the dead. This festival is held according to a certain time during the Khmer calendar. The idea is that dead elders ancestors come to walk the earth again on this day, and need to be given sustenence during their visit.This year it will be celebrated on 24th September.

Cambodia Ancestor’s Day History

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. 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. Small mouths are harder to eat from.Other, more severe, punishments could include being crippled or having no mouth at all.

During this time, the King Of Hell relases all spirits to roam the world. Those are the one that cannot get into heaven or to be re-incarnated.These spirits are very 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. Because the Spirits do not like to share, they will only eat what has been left for them. As a consequence, spirits without anything to eat are likely to place a spell or curse on their families.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.

Traditions of the Ancestor’s Day

People of Cambodia celebrate this day in a very unique way. THe first fourteen days of the festival is named Dak Ben.During Dak Ben, the neighborhood of a pagoda is divided into 14 groups. The Pagoda is then cared for by the whole community, with the fourteen groups divided among different people who each have to look after each part.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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