Unique moon worshiping ceremony - Ok Om Bok of Khmer people in Vinh Long

In recent days, the family of Mr. Thach Tha Ni, 41 years old, residing in Ba Se B hamlet (Song Loc commune, Vinh Long province) has prepared enough offerings for the moon worship ceremony - Ok Om Bok on the full moon night of the 10th lunar month.

Mr. Ni said: “The offerings that the family prepares include: flattened rice, bananas, fruits, sweet potatoes, taro, fresh coconuts... Among them, flattened rice is the most important and indispensable offering made from new sticky rice to offer to the moon god. At the same time, there are 2 whole sugarcane stalks placed on both sides and betel and areca vines.”

Offerings on the Moon worshiping tray of Khmer people in Vinh Long.

This year, Mr. Thach Tha Ni invited two prestigious elders, Mr. Thach Hung and Mr. Thach Sa Mi, to perform the ceremony in a solemn atmosphere witnessed by many neighbors and visitors. The altar with offerings was also set up right in the yard under the bright moonlight of the full moon night.

Khmer people celebrate the Ok Om Bok moon worshiping ceremony on the full moon day of the 10th lunar month every year.

Mr. Thach Sa Mi, 71 years old, is an experienced and prestigious person in the community regarding worship rituals during each Khmer festival.

Mr. Mi said that the moon worshiping ceremony on Ok Om Bok is not only a spiritual ritual expressing gratitude to the moon god in the Khmer people's beliefs, but also an opportunity to strengthen neighborhood ties and preserve the cultural values of the Khmer people.

The ritual of feeding flattened green rice to children during the moon worship ceremony.

The ritual takes place solemnly on the night of the 10th lunar month, including parts such as: reading prayers for blessings, releasing lanterns into the river, the ritual of feeding flattened rice to children and relatives along with prayers to the moon god.

According to Mr. Thach Hung, residing in Ba Se B hamlet (Song Loc commune), the moon worshiping offerings are displayed with many profound symbolic meanings. On the altar, two sugarcane stalks are placed on both sides, symbolizing the gate to look up to the moon, where people place their respect. Connecting the two sugarcane stalks is a betel leaf with 12 leaves symbolizing the 12 months of the year, on the betel leaf are hung 7 bee-shaped fruits symbolizing the 7 days of the week, expressing wishes for a lucky and peaceful new year.

ndo_br_z7192044564687-4569b538c701a459319d994757431984.jpg — Traditional Khmer orchestra performed at the moon worship ceremony.

The moon offerings are mainly products made by local people. Among them, the most important is flattened green rice, a specialty dish made from new sticky rice, symbolizing the fullness and prosperity of the Khmer people.

After the worshiping part, the festival atmosphere became more bustling and joyful when the pentatonic orchestra played familiar melodies. Everyone sang and danced together, creating a vivid picture, imbued with the identity of the Khmer people of Vinh Long.

Everyone danced and sang together after the moon worship ceremony.

Ok Om Bok Festival was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2014. This year, Vinh Long province organized a cultural and tourism week associated with Ok Om Bok Festival from October 30 to November 5 with the theme "Discovering and experiencing national intangible cultural heritage - Ok Om Bok Festival". There are various cultural, artistic, sports and tourism activities such as: performances of musical instruments, traditional Khmer costumes; display of Southern folk cakes; Ok Om Bok festival, Ngo boat racing...

HOANG TRUNG

Source: https://nhandan.vn/doc-dao-le-cung-trang-ok-om-bok-cua-dong-bao-khmer-vinh-long-post920782.html