Cambodia's Water Festival: A Celebration of Nature and History
Bon Om Touk, or the Cambodian Water Festival, is a national holiday that marks the end of the monsoon season and celebrates the unique natural phenomenon of the Tonlé Sap River's flow reversal. Held in November, this three-day festival is a significant cultural event with historical roots dating back to the 12th century. It commemorates the naval victories of King Jayavarman VII's Khmer navy over Cham invaders, with today's boat races serving as a powerful tribute to this heritage.
Bon Om Touk 1873. Picture by the French.
Map of rivers, lake, permanent water and floodplain of Cambodia
A Unique Natural Phenomenon
At the core of the festival is a rare ecological event. The Tonlé Sap River, which usually flows south into the Mekong, reverses its course during the monsoon season. The swollen Mekong pushes water back up the Tonlé Sap, causing the lake to expand to five times its normal size during the dry season. This results in fertile soil and an abundance of fish, which are vital to Cambodia's agriculture and food supply. Bon Om Touk celebrates the moment when the river's flow returns to normal, draining the lake and marking the start of the dry season.
Key Events and Cultural Traditions
The festival is a series of vibrant events that draw millions of people to the capital and some provinces.
The full name of the festival is "The Royal Boat Racing Festival, Lanterns Floating, Taste the Ambok and Worship the Moon."
Loy Pratip, floating lanterns, Phnom Penh, 2019
Boat Races: The main attraction is the traditional dragon boat races, where teams from different provinces compete on the Tonlé Sap River. Over 400 boats and thousands of paddlers participate, showcasing a high level of skill and teamwork.
Illuminated Boat Parades: At dusk on the second day, a parade of illuminated boats, representing various government ministries and institutions, floats along the river. Adorned with thousands of lights, these boats create a spectacular and festive atmosphere.
Moon Worship: The second day of the festival, known as Og Ambok Day, is dedicated to honouring the moon. It is a traditional ceremony that includes prayers and the eating of Ambok, a pounded rice dish mixed with banana and coconut.
Fireworks: The evening events are often accompanied by fireworks displays, which light up the sky and add to the celebrations.
The floating of lanterns, known as "Bandaet Pratip" or "Loy Pratip," is a ceremony that takes place at night.
A Festival for the People
Race boat in Phnom Penh, 2003
While the largest celebrations take place in front of the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, where over six million visitors attended the most recent festival, many provinces across the country host their own local events, like in Battambang. The festival was suppressed during the Khmer Rouge regime but was revived after its fall and has since been reinstated as a national holiday, a testament to its enduring cultural importance. Beyond its historical and natural significance, Bon Om Touk is a time for Cambodians to gather, give thanks, and celebrate their connection to the land and waterways that sustain their lives.
