Cambodian New Year
Cambodian New Year (or Khmer New Year; Khmer: បុណ្យចូលឆ្នាំខ្មែរ [ɓon coːl cʰnam kʰmae]), also known as Choul Chnam Thmey (Khmer: ចូលឆ្នាំថ្មី, UNGEGN: Chol Chhnăm Thmei, ALA-LC: Cūl Chnāṃ Thmī [coːl cʰnam tʰməj]; lit. 'Enter the New Year'), Moha Sangkran: 63 : 138 (Khmer: មហាសង្ក្រាន្ត, UNGEGN: Môha Sângkrant, ALA-LC: Mahā Sangkrānt [mɔhaː sɑŋkraːn]; lit. 'Great Sankranti'), Angkor Sangkran: 22 or Sangkran,: 63 : 138 is the traditional celebration of the solar new year in Cambodia. A three-day public holiday in the country, the observance begins on New Year's Day, which usually falls on 13 April or 14 April, which is the end of the harvesting season, when farmers enjoy the fruits of their labor before the rainy season begins. Khmers living abroad may choose to celebrate during a weekend rather than just specifically 13 April through 16 April. The Khmer New Year coincides with the traditional solar new year in several parts of India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Laos and Thailand.
| Cambodian New Year | |
|---|---|
Khmer women during a Cambodian New Year’s parade in Siem Reap | |
| Official name | បុណ្យចូលឆ្នាំថ្មី ប្រពៃណីជាតិ (lit. 'New Year Festival, the National Tradition') |
| Also called | Choul Chnam Thmey Moha Sangkran,: 63 : 138 Angkor Sangkran: 22 or Sangkran |
| Observed by | Khmer people |
| Significance | Marks the traditional solar new year in Cambodia |
| Begins | 14 April |
| Ends | 16 April |
| Date | 14 April |
| 2024 date | 13 April, Dragon |
| Frequency | annual |
| Related to | South and Southeast Asian New Years |