The Day of the Dead is one of the most important festivals in Cambodia, equivalent to China's Qingming Festival. The main theme of the festival is to worship ancestors and commemorate the dead, with a strong religious color. According to Cambodian tradition, the Day of the Dead falls on the annual Buddhist calendarHeld from October 1st to 15th, lasting for a total of 15 days, it is the longest festival in Asia, with a grandeur no less than the Cambodian New Year.

Legend has it that in the past, when the rainy season arrived, it was difficult for monks to go out and seek alms, so good men and women held this festival to offer food to monks in temples. People have to worship until the last day of the rainy season, which is why Dead Man's Day is so long.

During the festival, activities such as giving, worshipping, and reciting scriptures are carried out every day. Not only in the capital city of Phnom Penh, but also in villages and towns across the country, every Buddhist temple is almost filled with people every day. Many kind-hearted men, women, and villagers in the vicinity will spontaneously organize donations to the Buddhist temple and take turns guarding the night in the temple, so as to get up early and arrange for management.

The Day of the DeadFrom the 1st day to the 13th day, it is a time for people to worship at home. Every morning at around 4 o'clock, the virtuous men and women hold small balls of glutinous rice, pastries, bananas, candles, etc., and place them on plates. They gather in the main hall of the Buddhist temple, folding their hands and listening to the monks recite scriptures.

Families with conditions will go to Buddhist temples every day to study and give alms to several temples. Families with poor conditions are hereWithin 15 days, at least one or two Buddhist temples should be visited to worship and give alms to monks. Because Cambodian Buddhists believe that the more temples they visit, the more merit they accumulate.

Arrived at numberIn 14 days, many families make Zongzi. packagefinishZongziofThe next day,It is the last and most important day of the Day of the Dead.In the morning, when it wasn't bright, people walked to the river in the dark and were on small boats made of banana trees,Place dishes, pastries, fruits, salt, rice, grains, etc,AddboatPlace onRiver surface, let it drift with the waves, kneel down and send it awayUndead soulReturn on this ship. A farewell, which contains people's understanding of the cycle of life and death, as well as respect for the souls of the deceased.

At this point, the Day of the Dead ceremony is over. NextAlmost everyonereturnGo to the Buddhist temple,hereThe food in the temple is several times more than usualExceptionally abundant. The cafeteria, various shade areas, and corners were crowded with people, gathering in groups of three or five to have lunch together, creating a lively atmosphere.

On the Day of the Dead, Cambodians working in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and other places will return to their hometown and participate in a long sacrificial activity like this. They step on their homeland, searching for memories of the past, and express their respect and remembrance for their ancestors with the most devout worship.