southern khmer people enjoy traditional chol chnam thmay picture 1
The ethnic people’s festival lasts from April 14 to April 16, a time when Khmer people often gather together at local pagodas and temples in order to conduct traditional rituals.
Monks ensure that all pagodas are thoroughly decorated as part of celebrations for the Chol Chnam Thmay festival.
Several banners are hung in front of the pagodas.
Each of the Khmer pagodas features prominent decorations of flowers and flags.
Building sand dunes in order to pray for good weather and a bumper harvest represents an important rite for Khmer people during their new year festival.
Eight sand dunes are built pointing in eight different directions in the yard located in front of the main hall. Most notably, one sand dune placed in the middle represents the earth. The rite is performed during the three-day festival as a means of aligning with the Khmer lifestyle and the Buddhist philosophy.
Khmer women come together to make traditional cakes. They often produce different kinds of cakes, including banh tet, a type of sticky rice cake featuring pork and green bean filling, and banh it, sticky rice cake with coconut and green bean filling.
Local people perform traditional dances as part of Chol Chhnam Thmay festival.
A stage is erected in preparation of musical performances.
A number of leaders from the Mekong Delta region extend their warmest congratulations to local Khmer people.
They also present an array of gifts and food to poor ethnic households as part of the festival.