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When it comes to festivals deeply ingrained in the traditional culture of the Khmer people in the Southwest, Sen Dolta festival stands out, preserved and passed down through many generations.
Sen Dolta Festival - A Distinct Cultural Imprint of Khmer People
In a year, the people of the Western region celebrate three major festivals: Chol Chnam Thmay (New Year according to the traditional Khmer calendar), Ok Om Bok festival (moon worship), and Sen Dolta festival.
Sen Dolta festival (also known as Ph’chum-Banh) is the largest traditional ceremony of the Khmer people throughout the year. The festival commences on the 29th of the 8th lunar month annually and lasts for three days. In Khmer, “Sen” means worship, “Dolta” means “grandmother,” and “Ta” means “grandfather.” Sen Dolta holds a significance similar to the Vietnamese Vu Lan festival. It is organized to honor the merits of grandparents, parents, and relatives; expressing gratitude to the departed and seeking blessings for the family.
According to traditional rituals, Sen Dolta festival is held for three days each year, from the 29th of the 8th lunar month to the 1st of the 9th lunar month. During these three days of ceremonies, local people follow the traditional customs as follows:
First Day
Firstly, each family meticulously prepares their homes, cleans the ancestral altar, and adorns it splendidly. Afterward, they set four delicious bowls of rice on each table, light lamps, and invite everyone in the family to participate in the ritual. Together, they offer prayers and pour tea to invite the spirits of departed relatives to come home for a meal and rest. In the evening, after thorough cleaning, they honor the spirits of grandparents and then invite them to the temple to listen to the monks chanting for blessings. The temple hosts religious ceremonies, rituals, and festive activities such as parades, traditional games, and dances like Lò-khol Bác-sắc and Lâm-thol.
Second Day
After spending an entire day and night at the temple, in the evening, everyone together escorts the spirits of grandparents back home to share a meal and spend time with the family, entertaining the grandchildren until the end of the ceremony before returning to the temple.
Third Day
Each family prepares food and desserts, just like the first day, to offer to their grandparents at home before bidding farewell to the departed souls. Hence, this ritual is called the “farewell offering.” When all the ceremonial gestures are complete, the Dolta festival is considered concluded.
The conclusion of the Dolta festival involves a farewell ceremony for grandparents. As life is closely tied to the rivers and waterways, the Khmer people often craft boats to escort their grandparents, adorned with banana leaves and featuring a symbolic figure steering the boat. The boat is filled with various items such as offerings, traditional sweets, and paper-made beverages.
As reported by Mytour
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Reference: Travel Guide by Mytour
MytourDecember 12, 2022
