Lesson 63: Pchum Ben Festival

Cambodian Heritage Pchum Ben Festival Honoring ancestors and understanding "Hungry Ghosts". 🎧 Click play to start listening: Comprehension Quiz 1. What is "Bay Ben"? A type of soup. Balls of sticky rice. A special candle. 2. Who are the offerings for? The King. Tourists. Ancestors and hungry ghosts. 3. How long does the festival period last? 1 day. 3 days. 15 days. Check Answers Show Transcript 👇 Anna: Dara, why are so many people wearing white shirts and walking to the temple at 4:00 AM? Dara: It is Pchum Ben , our ancestors' festival. We go to the pagoda early to throw Bay Ben , which are balls of sticky rice. Anna: Why do you throw rice on the ground? Dara: It is an offering for the 'hungry ghosts'. We believe the spirits of our ancestors return to earth for 15 days to visit us. Anna: That is fascinating. So, you feed them to help them find peace? Dara: Exactly. By making offerings to the monks and the spirits, we generate good karma for our families.