Everything You Need to Know About the Water Festival

11/22/2021
"If there is no magic on this planet, it is contained in water."
- Loren Eiseley

Undoubtedly, water has always been an important aspect of human survival since the very beginning of creation. As once mentioned by American anthropologist and writer Loren Eiseley, water is such an important and, simultaneously, a wondrous resource that, sometimes, one can wonder that magic nestles in it. Similarly, many ancient civilizations have created traditions associated with water in many different ways. For example, the Water Festival!


The Water Festival in Cambodia, also known as the Bon Om Touk, is one of the most well-known holidays celebrated in this Southeastern Asian country. Starting this Thursday on November 18th, the Bon Om Touk lasts exactly two days annually to celebrate the natural phenomenon of the reversing of the flow of water in both the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers. This change in the rivers allows the Cambodians to start fishing under just the right conditions; not to exclude that it is also a time of optimism that a prosperous season lies ahead. The promising blooming of the full moon is considered as a sign of this good fortune.

Historical significance

We also cannot forget to talk about the naval victories that were made during King Jayavarman II's rule in the 9th Century. Correspondingly, the Water Festival works as a special occassion to hold annual boat races(also known as regattas) as a display of this maritime mastery. If you've lived in Cambodia before the quarantine, you might've seen lively pub streets and competitive boat racing during this time of the year!

Celebrating the Water Festival

Although most of what was enjoyed during the Water Festival was restricted due to covid-19 this year, originally, there are a lot of things that are done to celebrate the Water Festival. For example, dragon-boat races are held annually to officially open the cermony on a specifically given time; fiery crowds are assembled along the riversides to see the competitive racing of the intricately designed boats. And surprisingly, boat racings lasts until the early evenings and is continued again the next day. The moon festival and "floating candle" ceremony are also scheduled during or after these regattas. If you've ever directly experienced the celebrations in Cambodia, it is most likely that you've seen the ravishing sight of hundreds of candles (made out of lotus flowers) floating down the rivers.

Every year, Cambodians from all over the country gather together to celebrate the Water Festival. Although it was, unfortunately, not celebrated properly this year due to the pandemic, many people are waiting for the comely festival to bloom again. If you're planning on spending the next few years in Cambodia, make sure to indulge yourself in one of these festivals later! :)


- Irene Ahn.
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