The flavors of Chol Chnam Thmay

Each ethnic community has its own New Year celebrations, carrying with them beliefs and values ​​passed down through generations. For the Khmer people of Southern Vietnam, the traditional Chol Chnam Thmay New Year, celebrated in mid-April each year, embodies a simple yet profound philosophy.

During the Chol Chnam Thmay New Year celebrations, the Khmer people wear brightly colored traditional clothing and go to temples to perform important rituals. (Photo: Tao Dat)

In Khmer, "Chol" means "to enter" or "to step into"; "Chnam" means "year" and "Thmay" means "new". Therefore, Chol Chnam Thmay means "stepping into the new year," a simple yet evocative phrase that suggests people actively entering a new cycle of time, rather than passively receiving it. It is a moment when people renew themselves, purify themselves of the old, and move towards a fresh start in both mind and life.

Accordingly, each new year not only marks the end of a cycle, but also provides an opportunity for people to "move past" imperfections, leave behind worries, and start anew with a lighter heart. The rituals during Tet, from offering prayers at temples and performing charitable acts to bathing Buddha statues and ancestors, all carry the meaning of purification, virtuous conduct, and the renewal of spiritual energy.

While the Lunar New Year of the Kinh people is associated with sticky rice cakes and pickled onions, the Chol Chnam Thmay festival of the Khmer people in Southern Vietnam is distinguished by dishes that bear the strong imprint of this sun-drenched land, imbued with a spirit of community and harmony between people and nature.

On the Tet holiday feast table, the most common dishes are bun nuoc leo (noodle soup), a typical dish with a distinctive flavor from fermented fish paste, combined with fish, meat, and various wild vegetables; and Khmer curry, with the richness of coconut milk, usually made from chicken or duck, also a familiar dish during the first days of the year.

Many traditional dishes such as fermented fish paste, grilled dried snakehead fish, and traditional soups and vegetables contribute to enriching the meal. In particular, sticky rice cakes, Khmer ginger cakes, and palm sugar cakes are prepared to offer to ancestors and to entertain guests, expressing the Khmer community's wish for a prosperous and peaceful new year.

But the essence of Tet is not only found in the food, but also in the fragrant incense wafting through temples, in the melodious chanting of scriptures, in the golden hues of traditional costumes, and in the gentle smiles of people as they meet at the beginning of the year.

Khmer people demonstrate how to prepare offerings for their ancestors during the Chol Chnam Thmay New Year celebration. (Source: vietnamtourism.gov.vn)

Chol Chnam Thmay typically lasts three days, each with its own significance: the first day is for welcoming the new year, the second day is for performing charitable acts, and the third day is for bathing Buddha statues and ancestors – a highly symbolic ritual expressing filial piety and spiritual purification.

During these days, temples are not only spiritual spaces but also centers of community life. People bring offerings and food to present, sharing and praying together. The spirit of Tet (Vietnamese New Year) is therefore not just for individual families, but for the entire community, where everyone is connected in a strong cultural circle.

Only when visiting the villages and hamlets where the Khmer people live can one truly experience the vibrant and warm atmosphere of the traditional Chol Chnam Thmay New Year. During these days, after work and production, families are busy preparing, cleaning, and decorating their homes to make them neat and beautiful, as if expressing their hopes for a peaceful and prosperous new year.

In the temple courtyards, laughter and chatter mingled with the lively sounds of the traditional five-instrument orchestra; artisans meticulously adjusted each instrument, refining every note. The atmosphere of preparing for Tet (Lunar New Year) became even more vibrant as young men and women enthusiastically practiced traditional dances, each movement graceful and rhythmic, blending seamlessly into the community's life.

In the broader tapestry of Vietnamese culture, festivals like Chol Chnam Thmay are vibrant colors that contribute to its diversity and richness. Preserving and promoting these values ​​is not only the responsibility of the Khmer community but also of the entire society, as they represent a shared heritage and a valuable cultural resource for sustainable development.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/huong-vi-tet-chol-chnam-thmay-381505.html