Asian Geographic - 01.01.2018

southeast asia

WHEN

September 24–October 8, 2018 (October 8–10

are the three official holidays)

WHERE

To observe Pchum Ben, visit any of the

pagodas in Phnom Penh or its surrounds

HOW

Getting around Cambodia is time-consuming,

as the roads are bumpy. Laan tom (buses)

are the cheapest, most convenient and

comfortable option

DOS AND DON’TS

• Do ask for permission before taking
  photographs of any Cambodian people or
  monks, and dress respectfully (shoulders
  and legs should be covered)


• Don’t touch a Cambodian person on
  the head

EXPERIENCE

PCHUM BEN

The Pchum Ben festival – also called

“Ancestor’s Day” – is very important

to the Khmer people, as it conveys

their respect to the ancestors, who

are believed to return to Earth during

September and October. Much like the

month of the Hungry Ghosts in Chinese

culture, Pchum Ben sees Khmer people

present offerings of food, incense and

money to assist their ancestors in the

spirit world (the Khmer word pchum

means to “congregate”; ben means

“to collect”). It is one of the most

colourful festivals in the Cambodian

calendar: Pagodas are decorated,

and people wear their best clothes.

Pchum Ben is premised on

the Buddhist belief in karma and

reincarnation. Most people are

assumed to be reincarnated, but those

with bad karma are thought to get

trapped in limbo in the spirit world.

During Pchum Ben, these trapped

souls are released to find their living

relatives and repent. Cambodians pray

for their souls – and feed them.

Legend goes that after relatives of

King Bath Pempeksa defied custom

and ate before monks present at a

religious ritual, they died, and became

evil spirits. The spirits begged several

Buddhas for the right to eat, but each

one told the spirits to wait for the

enlightenment of the next. The Buddha

Preah Samphot told the spirits that

their relative, King Bath Pempeksa,

would offer them a dedication of food,

but he then failed to dedicate the

offering to his ancestors, leaving them

devastated. King Pempeksa went to the

Valovan pagoda, and the Buddha told

him of his ancestors’ plight. So, King

Bath Pempeksa made another offering,

and dedicated it to his ancestors. The

spirits ate, and shed their sin; they

were finally able to be reborn.

FESTIVAL MUST-SEE: PCHUM BEN

Cambodia

IMAGES © SHUTTERSTOCK

CAMBODIA

Phnom Penh

62