ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Bon Om Thouk

Bon om thouk is a water festival that is celebrated in Cambodia every year. During this festival, people gather to honor the Mekong River and the importance of water in their lives.

Imagine you're playing with water balloons and spraying water on your friends on a hot summer day. That's kind of like what the Cambodian people do during the Bon om thouk festival. But instead of just playing for fun, they are also thanking the river for giving them water to grow crops and celebrate life.

The festival is held in November when the Mekong River changes its flow direction, creating a tide that looks like waves. This is a natural wonder that the Cambodian people have been observing for centuries.

During the festival, people dress up in colorful clothes and dance in the streets. There are also boat races, where teams paddle traditional boats along the river. They compete to be the fastest and win prizes.

One of the most important parts of the Bon om thouk festival is the offering of bananas and rice to the river spirits. The Cambodian people believe that these spirits protect them and help bring good luck.

In the evenings, there are beautiful firework displays and lanterns are lit and set adrift on the river. It's a magical sight to see all the floating lights on the water.

Overall, Bon om thouk is a fun and meaningful festival that celebrates the importance of water and the river that sustains the Cambodian people.