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April 13-14-15, Khmer New Year
The New Year enters at an hour
designated by the lunar calendar. Beautiful offerings of food, drink
and incense are set on palm-frawned tables in front of homes.
The local people play many games and it is fun to watch:
A game played by throwing and catching a ball with one hand while
trying to catch an increasing number of sticks with the other hand.
Usually, pens or chopsticks are used as the sticks to be caught.
A game played especially on the first nightfall of the Khmer New
Year by two groups of boys and girls. Ten or 20 people comprise each
group, standing in two rows opposite each other. One group throws the
"chhoung" to the other group. When it is caught, it will be rapidly
thrown back to the first group. If someone is hit by the "chhoung," the
whole group must dance to get the "chhoung" back while the other group
sings.
A game played by imitating a hen as she protects her chicks from a
crow. Adults typically play this game on the night of the first New
Year's day. Participants usually appoint a person with a strong build
to play the hen leading many chicks. Another person is picked to be the
crow. While both sides sing a song of bargaining, the crow tries to
catch as many chicks as possible as they hide behind the hen.
A game played by two groups of boys and girls. Each group throws
their own "angkunh" to hit the master "angkunhs," which belong to the
other group and are placed on the ground. The winners must knock the
knee of the losers with the "angkunh." "Angkunh" is the name of an
inedible fruit seed, which looks like the knee bone.
A game played by a group of children sitting in circle. Someone
holding a "kanseng" (Cambodian towel) twisted into a round shape walks
around the circle while singing a song. The person walking secretly
tries to place the "kanseng" behind one of the children. If that chosen
child realizes what is happening, he or she must pick up the "kanseng"
and beat the person sitting next to him or her.
A game played by two children in rural or urban areas during their
free time. Ten holes are dug in the shape of an oval into a board in
the ground. The game is played with 42 small beads, stones or fruit
seeds. Before starting the game, five beads are put into each of the
two holes located at the tip of the board. Four beads are placed in
each of the remaining eight holes. The first player takes all the beads
from any hole and drops them one by one in the other holes. He or she
must repeat this process until they have dropped the last bead into a
hole lying beside an empty one. Then they must take all the beads in
the hole that follows the empty one. At this point, the second player
begins to play. The game ends when all the holes are empty. The player
with the greatest number of beads wins the game.
A game played by Cambodians of all ages. It is a gambling game that
is fun for all ages. There is a mat & dice. You put money on the
object that you believe the person rolling the dice (which is usually
shaken in a bowl type) and you wait. If the objects face up on the dice
are the same as the objects you put money on. You double it. If there
are two of yours you triple, and so on. This game is the most fun of
Khmer New Years. Be aware that it is tradition to throw water
and powder on people. Try to take it in good spirit. But be careful when you are riding a bike.
Happy New Year
Staff Scuba Nation
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