Ok Om Bok Festival, also known as the Moon Worshiping Festival, is one of the unique cultural features of the Khmer people in Vietnam. Held in the 10th lunar month every year, the festival not only has profound spiritual significance but is also an occasion for the Khmer people to honor nature, pray for a bountiful harvest and unite the community. In the festival space, people gather under the bright moonlight, offering offerings to the moon with respect. Offerings include flat rice, bananas, coconuts and other fruits, all of which express gratitude to heaven and earth for a good harvest. People's prayers express their hope for a peaceful and prosperous new year.
To prepare for the Ok Om Bok Festival, Khmer people prepare agricultural products that have been planted during the harvest season: ripe sticky rice; rows of coconut trees with lots of fruit; gardens of ripe bananas; potatoes and taro with tubers; colorful flowers... Photo: dangcongsan.vn
Besides the moon worship ritual, the Ok Om Bok festival is also notable for its many rich folk cultural activities. One of the highlights of the festival is the boat race on the river, attracting hundreds of racers from various villages. The sound of drums and cheers echoes along the river, creating a vibrant and exciting atmosphere. The race not only demonstrates the strength and resilience of the Khmer people but also symbolizes the spirit of unity and community solidarity.
Boat racing activities take place enthusiastically during the Ok Om Bok festival in Soc Trang . Photo: Collected
Following the activities on the river, the festival space on the shore is also filled with color and sound. Traditional dances, folk music, and folk games are continuously performed, creating a culturally rich atmosphere. In particular, the graceful Apsara dances, as soft and delicate as lotus petals blooming under the moonlight, give viewers a feeling of serenity and lightness.
Khmer people in Tra Vinh province perform the Kin nor dance. Photo: dangcongsan.vn
Beyond its cultural activities, the Ok Om Bok festival holds profound spiritual significance. The festival is an occasion for the Khmer people to remember their ancestors and thank the gods for protecting and sheltering the villagers. The rituals and prayers for peace are performed solemnly, with deep reverence and gratitude. Through this, the Khmer people express their prayers for a peaceful, prosperous, and happy life. The Ok Om Bok festival is not only an important cultural event for the Khmer people but also an opportunity for domestic and international tourists to explore , experience, and immerse themselves in this unique cultural space.
The moon worship rituals, boat races, folk cultural activities, and traditional cuisine create a vibrant picture, authentically reflecting the life and soul of the Khmer people. With its unique cultural values and profound spiritual significance, the Ok Om Bok festival is truly a precious gem in the treasure trove of Vietnam's cultural heritage.
Source: https://dangcongsan.vn/anh/le-ok-om-bok-cua-dong-bao-khmer-622823.html https://nhandan.vn/doc-dao-le-hoi-dua-ghe-ngo-o-soc-trang-post784144.html
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