Time:
November 12 (lunar October 15)
Place:
Southern Vietnam
Feature: Ok om
bok festival, also known as the Moon Thanksgiving Ceremony of the Khmer
ethnic minority in Southern Vietnam, shows their gratitude to the Moon Goddess
for giving them a bumper harvest and rich aquatic sources.
In the Khmer belief, the Moon Goddess
is the one who cares for the crops, aquatic sources and human life.
In the full-moon night, Khmer
families prepare offerings with green rice, banana, cassava and coconut. When
the moon gets full, they start the ritual and release balloon-like lanterns into
the sky and banana tree rafts carrying offerings on canals.
In the Ok om bok festival,
visitors have a chance to watch the jubilant and competitive boat race of the
Khmer people.