San Don Ta Tradition: The Khmer Thai Ritual of Ancestor Veneration The San Don Ta Festival, also known as “Khmer Sar Ta” or simply “Sar Ta,” is an important ritual celebrated by Thai people of Khmer descent in the 10th lunar month each year. The festival's purpose is to dedicate merit to ancestors and deceased relatives, as well as to bring together family members who have dispersed and may live elsewhere.

 

San: Refers to offerings, worship, or merit-making.

 

Don Ta: Translates to “ancestors” or “grandparents”.

 

Thus, San Don Ta signifies making merit to honor deceased ancestors, reflecting gratitude and respect for the ancestors who have passed on their knowledge and culture to their descendants.

 

Event and Ritual Details Ben Tu J Day (14th Lunar Day of the 10th Month):

This day marks the beginning of the ritual where offerings are made to ancestors at home and food is offered to monks at the temple.

 

Activities include preparing offerings such as food and fruits for use in the home and temple ceremonies.

Kan Song Day (15th Lunar Day of the 10th Month): On this day, villagers offer food to monks at the temple and perform rituals to dedicate merit to spirits of the deceased who have no relatives. Food and items are prepared to be given to monks to perform merit-making ceremonies for these spirits.

 

San Don Ta Day (14th Lunar Day after the Full Moon of the 10th Month): This is the most significant day of the San Don Ta Festival when all family members come together to make merit at the temple and perform another round of ancestor veneration at home. It is believed that during this period, ancestors are released from the realm of Yama (the god of death) to visit the living and receive the merit offered by their descendants.

 

- Five Flower Arrangements (Phan Five): Used for worship and offering to ancestors, often including money and valuables.

- New Clothes: Including sarongs and silk garments, along with fragrant powders, perfumes, and other personal items.

- Food Offerings: Such as boiled duck, chicken, or pig’s head, depending on the family's traditions.

- Various Confectioneries: Including steamed rice cakes wrapped in coconut leaves, sweet rice cakes with fillings, and other traditional sweets.

- Fruits: Essential fruits like young coconuts and ripe bananas.

- Drinks and Alcohol: Used in the ritual offerings.

 

- Elders light incense and candles, raise offerings, and call upon the spirits of ancestors to receive the offerings.

- Water and drinks are poured to indicate the availability of offerings.

- The ritual typically lasts around 20-30 minutes, after which the family shares a meal together to foster communal bonds.

 

Joon Don Ta: This involves family members returning home to pay respects to parents, grandparents, and revered elders. They bring gifts such as coconuts, sticky rice, and various confections or monetary donations to use in the San Don Ta ceremonies.

 

It is believed that during this time, the spirits of ancestors return from the afterlife to visit their living descendants and receive merit. The merit-making from Ben Tu J Day to San Don Ta is dedicated to ancestors and strengthens familial relationships.

 

The San Don Ta Festival is an opportunity for family members to reunite, honor their ancestors, and promote love and unity within the family. It serves as a platform to respect ancestors and maintain the unique cultural heritage of the Khmer Thai community.

 

The San Don Ta Festival is an integral part of Khmer cultural heritage, reflecting specific beliefs and traditions unique to the Khmer Thai people. The ritual integrates with Buddhist practices, involving food offerings and merit-making at temples, balancing spiritual beliefs and traditional customs.

 

In summary, the San Don Ta Festival is a significant cultural event for Thai people of Khmer descent, not only dedicated to honoring ancestors but also fostering family unity and preserving cultural traditions. It embodies a blend of ancestral respect and religious practice, celebrating the enduring legacy of Khmer culture.