At the heart of Khmer mythology there is a fascinating legend: the union between the Indian prince Kaundinya and the Naga princess Soma. Thousands of years ago, Cambodia was an island occupied by the Naga, half-human, half-serpent creatures, venerated as the protectors of lakes and rivers. The story goes that after Kaundinya fell in love with the Naga princess, the Naga king blessed their union. As part of this blessing, the king drained the surrounding waters, revealing the land that would become Cambodia. 

This legend highlights the deep connection between water and Cambodia’s very foundation. Water has always played a vital role in Khmer culture, symbolizing life, crop production, prosperity, and spirituality. It flows through the rhythms of daily life, shaping both traditions and beliefs. 

The importance of water is celebrated through the annual Water Festival, and this year, from October 16 to 17, 2024, Battambang will host its own Water Festival—a month before the national celebration. This vibrant event not only brings together the community but also reflects the cultural spirit of Battambang province. For Phare Ponleu Selpak, this festival holds particular significance as it plays a key role in revitalizing and preserving Cambodian culture.

Honoring water in Khmer culture: a gesture of gratitude   

Water plays a vital role and holds a significant place in Cambodian society. Every year, during the full moon in late October or early November, Khmer people gather to celebrate and seek the blessings of deities associated with water. This period marks the reversal of water flow between the Mekong and Tonle Sap and celebrates the end of the rainy season and the beginning of the dry season. 

Why Celebrate Water?  

Water is a true source of life and sustenance for Cambodians. A significant portion of the population relies on agricultural resources, particularly rice cultivation, which serves as the country’s primary food source. In late October, the changing river flow enriches the soil and enables fish migration, leading to a bountiful fishing season.  

In Buddhist tradition, water is used in rituals of purification and protection, symbolizing spiritual renewal. By honoring the Buddha, Cambodians express gratitude for their rice harvests and pray for the upcoming rainy season, which is crucial for agriculture. 

Thus, the Water Festival raises awareness of water’s value, expresses gratitude to water deities and Buddha, and prays for future aquatic prosperity. 

What does the festival entail?   

The Bon Om Tuk, or Boat Racing Festival, is one of Cambodia’s most significant celebrations, held annually around the Tonle Sap over three days. At the heart of this festival are the exhilarating boat races, where each boat represents various entities, including Buddhist pagodas, government ministries, and towns or provinces. These beautifully decorated, colorful boats are manned by teams paddling in unison, symbolizing unity and solidarity among the participants. 

Photo credit: Olivia AUDO

The tradition of boat racing dates back to the reign of the Angkorian kings, when such competitions were used to test soldiers’ combat skills and identify future champions. Even then, various water-related rites were already being practiced. Among the most notable is the royal head-washing ceremony, a symbolic ritual that emphasizes the sacredness of water in Khmer culture. During this ceremony, water is seen as a source of blessing and protection for the entire nation. 

The Water Festival beautifully blends tradition, spirituality, and celebration, reinforcing Cambodia’s cultural identity and the deep connection between its people and water. While Phnom Penh serves as the epicenter of the festivities, hosting grand national events, provinces like Battambang provide a more traditional and locally rooted version of the celebration. 

Water Festival in Battambang: a creative city as a cultural source 

Photo credit: Huon Seyha

Blending culture and tradition, Battambang’s Water Festival takes place a month earlier than the celebrations in the capital. This scheduling allows rural residents, who may find it challenging to travel to Phnom Penh, to participate in the festivities while staying connected to their roots. But this event also has a competitive dimension, since it serves as a springboard to select local winners who will proudly represent the province during the famous pirogue races in the capital. The event not only unites provincial communities but also boosts the local economy by attracting tourists away from typical hotspots. 

The importance of cultural authenticity 

The festival in Battambang is continually evolving. During his first edition of the Water Festival as governor, Sok Lou noticed that the costumes worn during the celebration were not authentic but counterfeit. This highlighted the need to restore and enhance authentic Khmer heritage during such celebrations. 

 The power of art to gather people 

The expertise of Phare Ponleu Selpak was called upon to strengthen the cultural authenticity of the festival, recognizing the power of art to bring people together. 

Phare plays a key role in revitalizing culture, particularly through the performing arts. During 2022 and 2023 festival’s, our students set a rhythm of joy during the big parade with their drums, revealed the beauty of the apsara dances, delighted the crowd through their circus performance and warmed the heart with their torch show! 

Photo credit: Olivia AUDO

This aligns with Battambang’s identity as an artistic hub in Cambodia, as evidenced by its inclusion in UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network. The city has a long artistic tradition, notably through Phare Ponleu Selpak, which showcases performing and visual arts connected to Khmer culture. 

 

Credit photo: Huon Seyha

Despite modern adaptations, this festival retains its sacred essence. It is an occasion to gather people around water and the river, to come together, celebrate, and enjoy life. If water is the source of life, then uniting, sharing, and celebrating is its essence too. 

Clémence DEVILLE

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Clémence DEVILLE is a communications intern and runs a theater workshop at Phare Ponleu Selpak. Currently on a mobility abroad as part of her studies at Sciences Po Toulouse, she combines her training in political science with a strong artistic commitment. Passionate about the arts and expression, she is convinced that these disciplines are essential levers for transmission and social transformation.

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