“Ghe Ngo” (Khmer Boat) racers at a Ok Om Bok Festival (Photo:VNA)
Soc Trang (VNA) – The Ok Om Bok Festival, also called the Festivalof Worshipping the Moon, is underway in the Mekong Delta province of Soc Trangwith a string of activities, including moon worshipping rituals, lanternreleasing and a Ca Hau boat restoration competition.
A highlight of the festival is the “Ghe Ngo” (KhmerBoat) race, which has brought together 62 teams from regional cities andprovinces such as Bac Lieu, Ca Mau, Hau Giang and Kien Giang.
The Khmer festival is also held in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho’s O Mondistrict for the first time from November 1-3.
Chairman of the O Mon district People’s Committee Le Viet Si said that it isthe first time that the district has organised the festival. A number ofactivities will be held during the event such as traditional music performancesof Khmer people, a fashion show on traditional costumes and folk games.
The Ok Om Bok festival is one of the three mainfestivals along with Sene Dolta and Chol Chnam Thmay that Khmer peoplecelebrate every year. It takes place under the full moon in the 10thlunar month annually, when it changes from the rainy season to the dry season,the growing season to the harvest season.
The Khmer believe the moon is a God whocontrols the weather and crops throughout the year. The Ok Om Bok Festival ofeach village takes place in the garden of a local pagoda, while the wholeprovince’s Ok Om Bok Festival takes place at Ba Om Pond.
On this occasion, Khmer people provide offerings of farm produce to thank theGod’s blessing for favourable weather and their bountiful harvest.-VNA
Being known as the land of festivals and temples, Soc Trang province in the Mekong Delta is also famous for its Ok Om Bok, one of the biggest festivals of Khmer ethnic people in the locality.
Ok Om Bok Festival, also called the Festival of Worshipping the Moon, took place in the Ao Ba Om (Ba Om Pond) relic site in the southern province of Tra Vinh.
The Ok Om Bok Festival, also called the Festival of Worshipping the Moon, will take place in the Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang from October 28 to November 3.
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“Ghe Ngo” (Khmer Boat) racers at a Ok Om Bok Festival (Photo:VNA)
