Full Moon Dance: Discovering the Khmer Ok Om Bok Festival

Ok Om Bok Festival, also known as the Moon Worship Festival, is one of the unique cultural features of the Khmer people in Vietnam. Held in the 10th lunar month every year, the festival not only has profound spiritual significance but is also an occasion for the Khmer people to honor nature, pray for a bountiful harvest and unite the community. In the festival space, people gather under the bright moonlight, offering offerings to the moon with respect. Offerings include flattened green rice, bananas, coconuts and other fruits, all of which express gratitude to heaven and earth for giving them a good harvest. People's prayers express their hopes for a peaceful and prosperous new year.

To prepare for the Ok Om Bok Festival, Khmer people prepare agricultural products that have been planted during the harvest season: ripe sticky rice; rows of coconut trees with lots of fruit; gardens of ripe bananas; potatoes and taro tubers; colorful flowers... Photo: dangcongsan.vn

Besides the moon worship ritual, Ok Om Bok festival is also notable for its rich folk cultural activities. One of the highlights of the festival is the Ngo boat race on the river, attracting the participation of hundreds of racers from the villages. The sound of drums and cheers echo throughout the river, creating a vibrant and exciting atmosphere. The race not only demonstrates the strength and resilience of the Khmer people but also symbolizes the spirit of solidarity and community cohesion.

Boat racing activities take place excitingly during the Ok Om Bok festival in Soc Trang . Photo: Collected

Following the activities on the river, the festival space on the shore is also filled with colors and sounds. Traditional dances, ethnic musical instruments and folk games are continuously held, creating a cultural space rich in identity. In particular, the Apsara dances are graceful and soft like lotus petals blooming under the moonlight, giving viewers a feeling of serenity and lightness.

Khmer people in Tra Vinh province perform Kin nor dance. Photo: dangcongsan.vn

Not only stopping at cultural activities, Ok Om Bok festival also has deep spiritual meaning. The festival is an opportunity for Khmer people to remember their ancestors, thank the gods for protecting and sheltering the villagers. The worshiping rituals and prayers are performed solemnly, with deep respect and gratitude. Through that, Khmer people send their prayers for a peaceful, prosperous and happy life. Ok Om Bok festival is not only an important cultural event of the Khmer people but also an opportunity for domestic and foreign tourists to explore , experience and immerse themselves in the unique cultural space.

Moon worship rituals, Ngo boat races, folk cultural activities and traditional cuisine have created a vivid picture, truly reflecting the life and soul of the Khmer people. With unique cultural values ​​and profound spiritual significance, Ok Om Bok festival is truly a precious gem in the treasure trove of Vietnam's cultural heritage.

Hoang Anh

Source: https://dangcongsan.vn/anh/le-ok-om-bok-cua-dong-bao-khmer-622823.html https://nhandan.vn/doc-dao-le-hoi-dua-ghe-ngo-o-soc-trang-post784144.html