Ancient traditions still alive in Angkor

Residents in the Angkor area have gathered to celebrate a traditional spiritual ceremony which asks for happiness and preserves the ancient traditions of their ancestors. The villagers believe that the ceremony will bring happiness and abundant crops and can avert various diseases.

The Apsara National Authority (ANA), a state body tasked with managing the Angkor Archaeological Park, said the residents had carried out the ceremony on February 4.

It said the celebration had not changed in many years. The people gathered in front of Angkor Wat, Wat Athvear Temple, at Neak Ta Bak Rotes or various ancestral places to ask for happiness and prosperity.

This demonstrated how the residents of Angkor continued to preserve their culture, the ANA said.

“The villagers believe that the celebration of this spiritual ceremony will bring good health to their children and a good harvest.

“They hold this ceremony every year, because Neak Ta, a tutelary deity, is the guardian of the country, and the custodian of all children. Neak ta cannot be ridiculed,” it said.

According to the ANA, the ceremony includes both Buddhist and Brahmanism beliefs. In the early morning monks are invited to recite prayers. In the afternoon blessings and offerings are made and music is played in supplication of happiness and prosperity.

Read more...