Preserving the cultural beauty of Chol Chnam Thmay festival

Khmer people make cakes to prepare for Chol Chnam Thmay festival

The origin of love and filial piety

For the Khmer, Chol Chnam Thmay is not only a New Year's holiday, but also an occasion to unite generations in the family, to inspire love and honor filial piety. In the first days of April, when the dry season sun begins to heat up, it is also the time when each Khmer village bustles with the atmosphere of preparing for Tet. Houses are cleaned and decorated. People choose their best clothes, and children are happy to have new clothes.

Khmer people together offer sacrifices and pray at the pagoda on Chol Chnam Thmay festival day.

Khmer people consider Chol Chnam Thmay as a special occasion to show filial piety and gratitude to their parents . In addition, going to the temple to celebrate is to express respect to Buddha and welcome good luck in the new year. Ms. Thi E, residing in Soc Lon hamlet, Loc Khanh commune, Loc Ninh district, shared: “Every year during Tet, I hope to see my children and grandchildren gather together, healthy and happy. Whenever I see my children taking care of their parents and being filial, I am very happy, and all the hardships before disappear. Tet is the time when I sit down and tell my children about their grandparents, about the hard years, so that they know how to appreciate the present. I don't expect much, as long as my children and grandchildren always live with love, solidarity, and do well in business, I am satisfied.”

Filial piety does not stop within each family, but spreads to the whole community. Each cake is wrapped not only to offer to ancestors, but also to share with neighbors. Tet is an occasion when people, even though they work far away, return home to reunite. The first meal of the year, the cheerful laughter, the affectionate eyes of the mother, the advice of the father... are a picture of reunion on this occasion. Ms. Thi Hat, residing in Soc Lon hamlet, Loc Khanh commune, Loc Ninh district, said: “Chôl Chnam Thmay Tet is the same every year, it is the most special occasion of the year for my family. The whole family gathers together. Everyone cleans the house, prepares offerings, wraps cakes to offer to the pagoda and share with neighbors. I feel very happy, the atmosphere is bustling in the whole neighborhood. What I cherish most is that this is an opportunity to help children and grandchildren remember their roots and appreciate the value of the family.”

Tet is also an occasion to preserve traditional cultural values, from folk dances to colorful costumes, from sincere wishes to community activities... Mr. Lam SNoc, a prestigious person in Soc Lon hamlet, Loc Khanh commune, confided: “Chôl Chăm Thmay is the most important holiday of the year for the Khmer people. This is an occasion for everyone to return to their families, to the cultural identity of their people, and to organize traditional ceremonies together. I always remind my children and grandchildren and relatives in the hamlet that: Tet is an occasion for us to show our filial piety to our grandparents and parents not only through wishes but also through concrete actions. In addition, I also hope that the young generation will preserve the beauty of traditional costumes, Khmer dances... That is a precious identity that cannot be replaced."

Celebrate Tet in faith and hope

For the Khmer, Chol Chnam Thmay is the beginning of new hopes. Before the festival, no matter where they work or live, the Khmer return to their homeland. Large courtyards become spaces for people to gather, wrap cakes, celebrate and have fun. This atmosphere shows solidarity, respect for the past and trust in the future. Mr. Lam Bac, village elder of Cha Don hamlet, Loc Khanh commune said: “I always consider myself responsible for preserving Khmer customs. As a village elder, I proactively organize small meetings to propagate and mobilize people to prepare for Tet carefully, in an orderly manner, but still imbued with traditional features. I encourage young people to wear ethnic costumes, learn traditional dances, participate in Buddha bathing ceremonies, and ancestor worship ceremonies. One year, I even guided a group of young people to organize folk games to make the atmosphere more joyful. I believe that if older people like me do not take action, the cultural values ​​of the nation will gradually fade over time. Tet is also an opportunity to pass on the torch of tradition.”

Khmer people dance and sing to celebrate the New Year

That belief is not only in favorable weather or bountiful harvests, but also in humanity and the power of solidarity. In their New Year wishes, many elders hope that their children and grandchildren will be successful in their studies, live kindly and know how to love. For young people, Tet is an opportunity for them to show their gratitude and start a year full of aspirations. In addition, the Khmer people are constantly innovating the way they celebrate Tet to suit modern life while still preserving traditional beauty. Organizing folk games, dancing, singing, and rituals in pagodas, etc. helps the younger generation better understand the beauty of their ethnic culture, thereby creating awareness to protect and promote it.

Chol Chnam Thmay is the joy of reunion, bringing hope for a new year of prosperity. And after Tet, when everyone returns to the hustle and bustle of life, those values ​​are still the source so that next year, when Chol Chnam Thmay returns, Khmer people will share about their success after a year of hard work, study and filial piety.

Source: https://baobinhphuoc.com.vn/news/19/171551/gin-giu-net-dep-van-hoa-cua-tet-chol-chnam-thmay