Ok Om Bok Festival
The sacred moon worship ceremony of the Khmer community
Introduction
The Ok Om Bok Festival, also known as the Moon Worship Ceremony, is the most significant annual celebration of the Khmer community in Can Tho and across the Mekong Delta provinces. Held on the full moon night of the tenth lunar month, when the moon shines at its brightest, the festival is an expression of gratitude to the Moon God for blessing the harvest season.
In Can Tho, home to a substantial Khmer community, the Ok Om Bok Festival is observed with great reverence, combining sacred rituals with vibrant cultural and sporting events.
Traditional Ceremonies
Moon Worship Offering
On the night of the full moon, Khmer families arrange ceremonial offerings in their courtyards or at local pagodas. The offerings include flattened rice (cốm dẹp), bananas, coconuts, sweet potatoes, and traditional cakes. As the moon rises, the presiding elder recites prayers, after which the community gathers to partake of flattened rice and present offerings to the Moon God.
Ngo Boat Racing
Ngo boat racing is the festival's most celebrated sporting event. The ngo boats, measuring 25 to 30 meters in length, are crewed by dozens of rowers who paddle in precise unison, creating a magnificent spectacle on the river. The races serve as a spirited competition among Khmer villages, demonstrating the strength of community solidarity.
Sky Lanterns and Water Lanterns
Paper lanterns are released into the sky while floating lanterns are set adrift on the river, creating an ethereal scene of shimmering light across the full moon night.
Cultural Significance
The Ok Om Bok Festival in Can Tho exemplifies the rich cultural exchange among the Kinh, Khmer, and Chinese communities who share this corner of the Mekong Delta. The festival serves not only as a means of preserving the Khmer community's cultural heritage but also as a bridge fostering unity and mutual understanding among the region's diverse ethnic groups.
In 2014, the Ok Om Bok Festival and Ngo boat racing were recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, affirming the festival's enduring importance within Vietnam's cultural patrimony.