- We do not shake hands and kissing is even less. To greet someone, bring your hands together in front of the chest if you are faced with an equal person. To greet a senior, join hands in front of the face, but with a God, raise your hands above your head.
- Politeness is very important. Cambodian people respect all like a big family. For new acquaintances, we often ask for ages first to know whether to call you sister, brother or uncle, etc. In public, you should call a person by a name preceded by "Mr." or "Madame." we do not often use personal names.
- It is acceptable to give money to the real beggars, especially the elderly and disabled war veterans who have nothing else to live.
- In the temples, go around the Buddha to the left, in the opposite direction of clockwise. Do not sit with your back against the Buddha or point your feet in his direction, this is frowned upon. Under no circumstances should a woman touch a monk or he will lose all merits acquired.
FESTIVALS IN CAMBODIA
Rich in culture, Cambodia has a great number of festivals, time of rejoicing for the whole nation. Most of these traditional festivals are attached to Buddhism or Hinduism. Here is the list of most significant festival in Cambodia calendar.
Bonn Chaul Chhnam (14-16 April)
Like Thai and Laotian people, the Khmer celebrate their New Year Festival during Mid April in the end of the harvest season. Cambodian people often clean and decorate their houses brilliantly with colorful ornaments and streets are lighted. Most popular activity is visiting temples to make offerings and pray for good luck and success. They also throw water at each other as a way of saying “Happy new year!”
Bonn Chrat Preah Nongkol - Royal Ploughing Ceremony: Late May, one day
The Royal Ploughing Ceremony dates back to the times when the reigning king traced the first furrows in the capital's sacred rice field, thus inaugurating the ploughing season. Today, the ritual is performed at the start of the rainy season in late May each year, with representatives of the king taking the role of King Meakh, who leads the yoke and plough, and Queen Mehour, who sows the seeds. After circling the field three times, the procession stops at a shrine where Brahmins invoke the protection of the gods. Sacred cows are then brought to eat from seven silver trays containing such things as rice, corn, beans, sesame seeds, grass, water and wine, and predictions are made for the coming year based upon what they select. The harvest will be good if they choose the cereals, rain will be abundant if they drink water, but trouble is feared if they eat herbs or drink alcohol.
Bonn Dak Ben and Bonn Pchum Ben - Spirit Offering Festival: September-October, 15 days
Running for 15 days, this festival is dedicated to blessing the spirits of the dead, and is one of the most culturally significant events in Cambodia. Each household visits its local wat and offers food to the monks for their assistance in blessing the souls of late ancestors, relatives and friends. Pagodas are crowded with people taking their turn to make offerings, with many staying behind to listen to Buddhist sermons.
Bonn Kathen - End of Buddhist Lent
Bonn Om Touk - Water Festival: Mid November, three days
The Tonle Sap River is the only waterway in the world which flows in opposite directions at different times of the year. For most of the year the river flows out from the lake into the Mekong. However, during the rainy season from about June to October the Mekong rises, causing the Tonle Sap River to reverse its direction and the lake to swell to more than twice its regular size. At the end of the rainy season, when the water level of the Mekong drops again, the current reverts and flows back into the Mekong. This unique natural phenomenon is celebrated with three days of boat races, fairs, festivals, shows, parades, fireworks, music and dancing.
Angkor festival – November or December
This is one of the most impressive festive events of Cambodia, held right at the ground of Angkor Wat. This festival draws people from all over Cambodia to Seem Reap to see firework display and the art shows depicting glorious history of Angkor Kingdom. Should you wish to watch a traditional performance telling the legend and odyssey Ramayana, this is definitely a not to miss opportunity.
RELIGIONS
Cambodia adopted Indian religions from the first century. Hinduism was first predominant. Theravada Buddhism (form himayana or Mini) is since the fourteenth century, although the king Jayavarman VII adopted Mahayana Buddhism (Great Vehicle) in the twelfth century. Most Cambodians are Theravada Buddhists (96% of the population, state religion), the country also has a Muslim Cham population (2%), some tribes in mountainous areas and a Christian community (1%).
ANGKOR TRAVEL TIPS
Some of Angkor's sites were originally built as Hindu temples, while some were built as Buddhist temples, and yet others were converted over the years. Today, most of Angkor's major temples house at least a few Buddha statues (nearly all added later) and draw a steady stream of monks and worshippers. You may be approached for donations, but you are under no obligation to pay unless you actually choose to accept incense sticks or other offerings.
Because these are still holy spaces for the Khmers (Cambodian people), it is best to follow the dress code of "long pants/skirt and covered shoulders." This is the dress code that the Khmers follow when visiting any temple or holy space.
By local regulation, motorcycle and tuk-tuk drivers must at all time wear a numbered vest when on the job, which goes a long way towards preventing hassles and scams. However, it's unadvised for women to travel alone, especially after dark and in the more secluded temples.
Whilst visiting the temples, beware of off-duty police officers, who are in uniform, that start walking beside you and start showing you around the temples. At this point either say that you would like to see the temples yourself, or agree on a price at the start. Several people have been requested for a fee of over $10 at the end of the temple tour and you are not going to argue with a member of the police force! The official wage for a police officer is very low, so they can easily double their salary by being tourist guides.
Whilst at the temple beware of anyone offering you incense. They will hand you the incense and then "teach" you a blessing. They will then ask for a donation (generally about $10) for the monks and the upkeep of the temple. None of the funds will make it to either of these causes, so it's best just to say a quick "No thank you" when they try to give you the incense in the first place.
Be prepared for vast numbers of peddlers who linger around temples. It may feel difficult or rude to ignore the constant come-ons to buy souvenirs, photocopied guidebooks, t-shirts, and assorted junk, but it can be necessary in order to enjoy your visit in semi-peace.
Touring the temples is a hot and sweaty job, so bring sunblock and keep yourself well hydrated. Some of the temples, notably the uppermost level of Angkor Wat, require climbs up very steep staircases and are best avoided if you suffer from vertigo or are not fully confident of being able to keep your footing.
Malaria is not endemic around the temple complex; however, it is recommended to seek medical advice before you travel as conditions may change.
Don't feed or approach the monkeys who lurk around some sites: many are ill-tempered and will bite at the slightest provocation.