Hundreds of Cambodians gathered on Thursday morning to take part in the centuries-old 'He Neak Ta' ritual, honouring their village's guardian spirits in a colourful ceremony to pray for good fortune, rain and prosperity. The event took place in Phum Boeung, about 25 kilometres northwest of Phnom Penh.
The ritual, which has become increasingly rare in modern times, coincides with the onset of the summer monsoon as farmers prepare for planting rice, a water-intensive crop. Although most Cambodians are Buddhist, the ceremony reflects a widespread belief in animism — the idea that spirits can inhabit living and inanimate objects.
Chamrouen Ratha, a 26-year-old blacksmith, said he took the day off work to join other villagers in honouring the same spirits celebrated by his ancestors. “The significance of this ceremony is to pray for happiness and prosperity for all the villagers in this area and the participants who have joined this ceremony,” he explained.
Villagers of all ages congregated about two kilometres from the local monastery dedicated to their guardian spirit. Young men painted scenes from local folklore on their faces and bodies, dressed as spirits and wore grass skirts, while some donned painted oversized heads. Many young women wore traditional silk clothing, gold-coloured necklaces and flowers behind their ears, dancing to the beat of handheld drums and small gongs.
The procession, including participants on motorbikes and horseback, made its way to the guardian spirit's shrine. There, villagers lit incense sticks and offered fruit, food, soft drinks and alcohol while praying for good fortune, adequate rain, prosperity and the prevention of disease. The half-day ceremony concluded with the spraying of holy water on the cheerful participants.
“I pray for enough rainfall with abundant rice production ... so that villagers would enjoy their harvest,” said 30-year-old driver Sim Pov, one of the costumed marchers. Neak Mao, 64, who brought two horses, said he has attended the ceremony since he was young. “This celebration is to ensure that the traditions of our ancestors are not lost, which they have tried to preserve and we continue to do so every year,” he said.
