Experience Cambodia’s Rich Culture and Traditions During the Pchum Ben Festival
The Pchum Ben Festival, also known as the Festival of the Ancestors, is the second most significant annual celebration for Cambodians, taking place across the country from today, October 1, until Thursday this week.
This deeply spiritual festival spans 15 days, with the first 14 days referred to as Kan Ben. During Kan Ben, villagers take turns offering food to monks at local monasteries and pagodas, with the hope that these offerings will reach the souls of their ancestors. Prayers and sermons led by Buddhist monks help guide these offerings to the afterlife, making it a time of reflection, reverence, and community participation.
The festival culminates on the final day, Pchum Ben, which is considered the most important. On this day, all Cambodian Buddhists, regardless of wealth, prepare special offerings and food for their visits to pagodas. It is a time to honor their ancestors, seek blessings, and ensure their spirits find peace.
In a royal message commemorating the festival, King Norodom Sihamoni emphasized that Pchum Ben plays a vital role in fostering national unity and love, preserving cherished traditions, and promoting Khmer culture. The King also highlighted the festival’s significance in bringing families together from near and far, and in supporting Buddhist monks who have just completed their three-month retreat in the pagoda.
The festival also brings joy beyond the rituals, with traditional games and activities that travelers can experience alongside locals. These games, played outside the formal ceremonies, offer a fun way for visitors to immerse themselves in Cambodia’s rich cultural heritage.
As part of the national celebration, government officials, workers, and citizens will enjoy a three-day public holiday from today through Thursday. Last year, approximately 1.89 million local and international tourists visited Cambodia’s many attractions during Pchum Ben, representing a remarkable 52% increase from the previous year, according to the Ministry of Tourism. This surge reflects the festival’s growing appeal, not only for its spiritual significance but also for the cultural experiences it offers to travelers.
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Author: Tom Starkey
Tom Starkey is an International Development graduate from Sussex University with 12-years of experience across 4 continents, Tom's goal is that he wants to showcase his love for Cambodia, where he lives, works and now happily calls home.
