The Khmer New Year, or 'Bon Chol Chhnam Thmei' in the Khmer language, is commonly celebrated on 13th April each year although sometimes the holiday may fall on the 14th April in keeping with the Cambodian lunar calendar. This marks the end of the harvest season when farmers enjoy the fruits of their labor and relax before the start of the rainy season. The New Year holidays last for three days
During this time, people engage in traditional Khmer games; they play such games as the Bas Angkunh 'seed throwing', Chaol Chhoung 'twisted-scarf throwing', Leak Kanseng 'twisted-scarf hide', tug of war, shuttlecock kicking, etc. Throughout the country, people merrily dance the traditional Khmer forms of the Ran Vong, Ram Kbach, Saravan, and Lam Leav in the open.
There are many games that khmer people like to play on the khmer new year but the most popular game is Leak Kanseng is group of children seated in circle on the ground. Someone holding a ‘kanseng’ (Towel twisted into a round shape) walks around the circle singing along. The person walking secretly tries to place the ‘kanseng’ behind one of the children. The others in the circle cannot speak up but can hint to the victim. If that victim realizes what has happened, he or she must pick up the ‘kanseng’ and beat the person sitting next to him or her chasing him or her arond the circle
by Lyly SENG
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