Following the traditional custom, in the full-moon day of the tenth lunar month every year, the Khmer hold the moon worshipping festival that people manually called Oc-om-boc. Traditionally, to memorize the contribution of the moon which is considered the God managing crops, the Khmer people use the new glutinous rice to make com dep (cốm dẹp), being the main offering to worship the moon.

Especially, come to Oc-om-boc festival, visitors have a chance to take part in folk cultural game, entertainment such as: Lam Thol dancing, Ro bam, Du ke singing, snail chess competition, etc…

Besides that, tourists can contemplate the special water lamp, wind lamp of Khmer people. Water lamp is boat-shaped, having the made-from-banana-bark bottom with other materials including bamboo bars and paper. The lamp is decorated by brilliant colors, several kinds of cake, incense, oil lamp, and candles then released onto the water flow, creating sparkling and charming colors.

Wind lamp is a kind of entertainment which is artistic and scientific. People make it very simple: just with several pieces of paper which is rounded by bamboo bars and zinc yarns, something put inside to be the ignition. When fire is burnt, the inner air disappears, creating a force pushing the wind lamp flying high into the sky. It falls down when the fire is off. In each wind lamp, there is a kapok tail attached to the zinc frame, forming the shape of animal or word which looks very spectacular after being fired and flies high.

One vibrant, bustling activity which can be lacked in Oc-om-boc festival is Ngo boat race. Ngo boat is 24m long, 1.2m wide; both its prow and helm are curve, decorated by Khmer patterns; there is an animal image drawn in the prow. Every Ngo boat is built due to the labor and financial contribution of local people. The boats are preserved in the temple, launched on the water just once a year in the festival so the launching ceremony is very elaborate and cost.

Before the festival, all people practice elaborately, firstly swim on the land, and then do it on the water. The person chosen to be the leader standing on prow must be a prestigious one in the village. The Ngo boat race festival attracts lots of people in and out of the province to join among the vibrant cheer sounds.  

Translated by DuongVT

Source: soctrang.gov.vn