Bustling preparations for the Chol Chnam Thmay New Year celebration.

As mid-April approaches, villages throughout the province are bustling with preparations for the 2025 Chôl Chnăm Thmây New Year. As the biggest festival of the year for the Khmer people, temples and Khmer communities are busy organizing traditional ceremonies and unique cultural and sporting activities to celebrate the new year in a joyful and culturally rich manner.

The old Ho Phong Pagoda (Gia Rai town) is being renovated and redecorated to celebrate the Chol Chnam Thmay New Year. Photo: HT

CELEBRATE TET WITH A NEW "OUTFIT"

Although there is still about a week until the Chôl-chnăm-thmây New Year (April 14-16), the festive atmosphere of the traditional New Year has already permeated all areas with large Khmer populations. Along the roads leading to the villages, the rural landscape seems to have been given a new look with well-maintained roads, clean houses, and banners celebrating the Chôl-chnăm-thmây New Year.

The most common sight these days is Khmer temples busily repairing and decorating to welcome the New Year with a magnificent appearance. At temples such as Ho Phong Moi (Gia Rai town), Siem Can ( Bac Lieu city), or Cai Gia Giua (Vinh Loi district), Tet (Lunar New Year) has arrived in the vibrant colors of flags and flowers, and the beauty of architectural works. Along with that, important rituals such as the procession of the Great Calendar, building sand mounds, bathing the Buddha, and prayers for the deceased are meticulously prepared by the temples to ensure the ceremonies are solemn and contribute to the preservation and promotion of the beautiful religious beliefs.

While the homes of the living are decorated, the "home" of the deceased is also renovated to welcome Tet. Therefore, a few days before Tet, many people go to temples to repaint and clean the stupas – where the remains of their ancestors and deceased relatives are kept – to show filial piety and to pray for blessings in the new year.

A Khmer family in Vinh Trach Dong commune (Bac Lieu city) makes gingerbread to celebrate Tet.

PRESERVING TRADITIONAL IDENTITY

Despite the modern appearance of the new rural areas, traditional cultural values ​​are still preserved under the roofs of the Khmer people's homes. As the Chôl-chnăm-thmây New Year approaches, along with cleaning the houses, the ancestral altars are always thoroughly cleaned. The most heartwarming and joyful moments are when the family gathers to prepare offerings and food to present to their ancestors and at the temple during the three days of the New Year.

Mr. Trieu Thanh Thal (Giong Giua A hamlet, Vinh Trach Dong commune, Bac Lieu city) shared: “No matter where they are or what they do, Khmer people must return home to celebrate their traditional New Year. Therefore, my family temporarily put aside our work in Ho Chi Minh City to reunite with relatives and family during the Chol Chnam Thmay New Year. Besides participating in the rituals and festive activities, this is also an opportunity to keep the ‘flame’ of family happiness burning through moments spent cleaning the house together, preparing offerings to ancestors, making traditional cakes… From there, we nurture love and remind our children and grandchildren to cherish and preserve the beautiful values ​​of the Chol Chnam Thmay New Year.”

Amidst the vibrant sounds of the villages, many performing arts groups from Khmer temples in the province are enthusiastically rehearsing their artistic programs to celebrate the Chôl Chnăm Thmây New Year. At Cái Giá Giữa Temple (Hưng Hội commune, Vĩnh Lợi district), the performing arts group, mostly comprised of young people, promises to bring audiences unique and spectacular performances. Thạch Thị Ngọc Phượng expressed: “Despite being busy with work and studies, all members of the group participate fully in rehearsals, dedicating much effort and passion to each dance and performance. Besides serving the cultural needs of the Khmer people during the New Year, this also contributes to spreading national pride and raising awareness and responsibility among the younger generation regarding the preservation and promotion of traditional cultural values.”

From every Khmer home to the temples in the villages of Bac Lieu, the atmosphere of preparation for the Chol Chnam Thmay New Year is filled with joy and excitement, looking forward to a vibrant, colorful, and joyful celebration.

LONG LIFE

Source: https://www.baobaclieu.vn/van-hoa-nghe-thuat/ron-rang-chuan-bi-don-tet-chol-chnam-thmay-100122.html