カンボジアの豆知識 (6): カンボジアのお盆についてFun Facts About Cambodia (6): The Ghost Festival of Cambodia
(English report follows after Japanese)
明日から１５日間（２０２０年９月３日～１８日）、カンボジア全国でプチュンバン（Pchum Ben）フェスティバルが始まります。プチュンバンの「プチュン」はクメール語で「集まる」、「バン」は「ひとたま」を意味します。カンボジアでは正月に次ぐ盛大な行事です。
プチュンバンは、日本のお盆や中華圏の中元節に相当するもので、毎年クメールカレンダーの１０番目の月に行われます。最初の１４日間は「Kan Ben」と呼ばれ、最後の１５日目は「Ben Thom」と呼ばれています。この期間中は先祖の魂や亡霊がこの世をさまようと考えられ、カンボジアの人々はパゴダへお供え物（もち米のおにぎり、花、キャンドルなど）を捧げ、参拝します。今年はコロナ感染予防のため、パゴダ参拝の際には、マスクの着用、検温、ソーシャルディスタンスの実施などがカンボジア保健省から要請されています。
フェスティバル期間中、２０２０年９月１６日～１８日の3日間は国民の祝日「Ancestors’ Day」となっており、例年は多くの人が帰省し、家族や親戚との集まりを楽しみますが、今年は新型コロナウイルスの影響で帰省を控える人が多く、静かな祝日となるかもしれません。
From tomorrow onward, for a period of 15 days (3 Sep – 18 Sep 2020), the Pchum Ben festival will begin in Cambodia national wide. In Khmer language, “Pchum” means “to gather”, and “Ben” means “a ball of something”. It is the next grandest event in Cambodia after Khmer New Year.
Pchum Ben, equivalent to Japan’s Obon and the Chinese’s Hungry Ghost Festival, is held during the 10th month of the Khmer calendar every year. The first 14 days of Pchum Ben is known as “Kan Ben”, and the last 15th day is known as “Ben Thom”. During this period, it is said that spirits of ancestors and souls of the dead will wander in this living world, and many Cambodians will head to the pagodas to pay respect and make offerings (sticky rice balls, flowers, candles etc.). This year, in order to curb the spread of Covid-19 virus, Cambodia’s Ministry of Health has requested the wearing of masks, temperature taking, as well as the practice of social distancing when visiting the pagodas.
During the festival, a three-day national holiday (Ancestors’ Day), 16 – 18 Sep 2020, will also take place, and every year Cambodians will return to their hometown, looking forward to gather with their families and relatives. However, due to the ongoing pandemic, many people will probably hold back their plans to return to their hometown, and spend a quiet holiday this year.
Photo Credit: Borei Angkor Resort & Spa
参考文献・References
- Wikipedia, Pchum Ben
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pchum_Ben
- National Today, Pchum Ben
https://nationaltoday.com/pchum-ben/
- Khmer Times