Sunday, April 27, 2008

HAPPY NEW YEAR! (4/13/08)

YES, we did just say Happy New Year...Happy KHMER new year that is!  Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand all celebrate their New Year on April 13th this  year.

     For Cambodians this holiday means 3 days off work, and often people go to the provinces to visit their families.  Another way the Khmer celebrate is by throwing water on one another, which can be nice (if done in a gentle way) as April is the hottest month of the year here.  They also like to throw baby powder on one another (usually on the head/face).
 
     The night of the 13th is an important one as the New Year  Angel is supposed to visit each house.  Much like we leave Santa Clause cookies and milk on Christmas Eve, the Khmer will make an angel table in their home with food and coca-cola for the angel to enjoy!  The next morning people take food to the Wat as an offering so that they can ask for blessings of money and good fortune in the year to come.

     We don't yet understand all that these customs mean, but hopefully as we learn more language and culture we'll be able to engage people in dialogue about this important holiday!

     SO...again, we wish you happiness along the road as we enter the NEW YEAR!

2 comments:

Jeff said...

Well we are glad that you guys have a way for us to keep a little more up to date with you now! We miss you guys lots and sometimes talk about how nice it would be to be near you again (who knows, maybe we will end up in Cambodia eventually). Anyway, we love you guys and miss you!

kenpeg123 said...

well, since i just figured out this blog thing, i'm a little late but------HAPPY NEW YEAR