The Regatta, the Procession of Illuminated Floats
The Salutation to the Moon & the Offering of Bananas & Ambok
The Salutation to the Moon & the Offering of Bananas & Ambok
The Cambodian regatta “water festival” dates back to ancient times, which is closely related to the annual cycle of the waters of the River Mekong. The Mekong River always swells during the wet season and ebbs during the dry season. When the waters of the Mekong River begin to ebb, the water festival is always held annually in front of the Royal Palace and boat racing is constantly conducted along the Sap River in Phnom Penh Capital, Cambodia. It shows Khmer cultural tradition, artistic talents, good merit, peaceful preference, human happiness, social solidarity, national conscience, physical agility, outstanding bravery, great perseverance, and strong will of the Cambodian people in protecting national independence, territorial integrity, people’s lives, public property, ancestral legacies, and national honour against all stratagems of enemies’ aggression. It also expresses the development of various agricultural products favoured by the fertile land, which combines with industrious behaviour, great patience, creative ideas, and tireless effort in rice production of all our farmers.
On 09-11 November 2011, the water festival will be jubilantly held in Phnom Penh to commemorate the undivided strength of the powerful Khmer marine forces in the ancient Khmer Empire and to show a wide range of travel and transport possibilities by water.
The History of the Regatta
The history of the Regatta Festival has been chronicled by the Cambodian people and by foreigners for a long time. In fact, the festival is depicted in stones of the Angkorean period. There are three different histories to the festival, each quite distinctive.
- According to the chronicle of King Jayavarman VII in the ancient Academic Buddhist Institute, it is claimed:
In the 12th century of the Angkorean era, Cambodia had achieved peace and prosperity following Preah Bath Jayavarman VII’s success in a naval war with the neighbouring Chams. The war victory (1177-1181 AD) liberated Cambodia, inscribed on the bas-relief of the Bayon Temple and the Banteay Chhmar Temple. On the bas-relief, there are images of the navy with the photograph of Preah Bath Jayavarman VII bravely wielding a fighting stick and bow on the royal barge. - According to documentation written by Mr. Thach Pèn, the lay teacher of the Academic Buddhist College in Khleang Province, Kampuchea Kraom, it is mentioned that:
In the Longvèk era (2071 BE, 1528 AD), Preah Bath Ang Chann I appointed Ponhea Tat to the position of King Tranh (Regional King) of Kampuchea Kraom, Bassak Region. The Regional King assigned a royal administration to defend his region. He divided his navy into three groups boarding different types of boats:- The Vanguard, riding a boat similar in shape to today’s racing boat.
- The Reserve Army, riding two rowing boats abreast.
- The Bassak Army, riding a larger boat with a roof, a fixed oar and a sail, similar in shape to a junk on the Bassak River, used primarily to store the army’s supplies.
- The water festival is said to be one of the most spectacular traditional events, similar to some festivals held in the north of Europe today. Some traditionalists claim the history of the festival lies in close connection with the history of Buddha. However, others translate that the festival represents a thanksgiving to the Gods of Water and Earth for providing the livelihood and welfare for the Cambodian people. This final translation follows the tradition of Brahmanism and relates to the practical geography and the daily life of the farming community.
The water festival is held on the full moon in November coinciding with the rainy season. During this time, the lakes flood creating great seas and in turn, it is time to harvest the rice.
When the Mekong River swells during the period August to November, the waters flow into the Tonlé Sap Lake from the south to the north. Then in the low water season following November, the lake waters ebb and the flow reverses back from the Tonlé Sap into the Mekong River from the north to the south.
This annual flooding of the Mekong River, with its source in Tibet, provides the livelihood for many Cambodian farmers. The silt carried by the floodwaters is extremely fertile providing a rich resource for Cambodia. The crops produced in the low water season are essential to the welfare of the Cambodian people.
For this reason the Khmer people choose the full moon of Khè Kadek as the time to conduct the water festival, the procession of illuminated floats, the salutation to the moon, and the offering of bananas and Ambok as a means to express their profound thanks to the Mekong River and Sap River.
The festival is usually held for three days, i.e. the 14th and 15th of the waxing moon and the 1st of the waning moon. Festivities take place in front of the Royal Palace.
The Festival of Illuminated Floats
This festival consecrates Preah Changkaum Keo (the main parts of Buddha) and the Buddha footprints detailed below. The Khmer people conduct this festival during the full moon of November, as they believe that it will bring great merit and prosperity to the country.
In the Pali Teathavong scripture, four Preah Changkaum Keo are dedicated in four directions:
- Traitroeng Paradise
- Naga World
- Srok Kunthea
- Toan Borakaling Roath
In Pali Pheana Veara, the Buddha footprints are located in five directions:
- Sovann Mealika Barapoat
- Sovann Barapoat
- Soman Koda Barapoat
- Yoonka Borei
- Stoeng Neamatea
In the prose and Pali praise of Preah Bath “Yorsa Baté”, Buddha’s footprints are located in five directions as in Pheana Veara.
The Festival of the Salutation to the Moon and the Offering of Bananas and Ambok
In the first phrase of Pali scripture of Baramathatibani Atha Katha Chariya Bedak, the Great Buddha became incarnate as Sasa Bandit, meaning “Wise man born in the form of the Rabbit”. On the full moon, Sasa Bandit resolved the eight Silas and offered his flesh as a true gift to achieve enlightenment. Indra decided to test the facts by disguising himself as an old Brahman and begged for Sasa Bandit’s flesh as food. Sasa Bandit told the old Brahman to light a fire and once the fire was burning strongly he shook himself three times to let the insects perching on him escape and then leapt into the flames. Fortunately, the flames did not touch Sasa Bandit and the old Brahman hurried to carry him to the moon in his arms. He drew an image of the rabbit on the moon in Maneang Sela “plaster” and wished the figure of the rabbit long life. Under the power of the Buddha and the resolution of Indra, the shape of the rabbit has appeared in the moon ever since. To reflect this belief, the Khmer people celebrate it annually during the full moon of Khè Kadek. They prepare special cakes, Ambok and bananas to salute the moon.
Location: Phnom Penh
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