Rice ball ritual (Bon Kan Ben Ritual) of Khmer-Thai People and Khmer-Cambodian people: The common belief and ideological difference

Abstract

Abstract

This academic article was intended to compare the ritual of rice ball or the Bon Kan Ben ritual (ពិធីបុណ្យកាន់បិណ្ឌ) and the Saendonta (សែនដូនតា) ritual of the Khmer people in Thailand and the Khmer people in Cambodia by synthesizing documents in both Thai and Khmer languages, as well as interviewing with experts in Khmer language and culture, both Thais and Cambodians. The results showed that the Khmers of both lands had strong beliefs about the spirits of their ancestors who were responsible for bestowing an advantage or disadvantage for the living. Showing gratitude to the spirits of the ancestors was something tourism because it was driven by global capitalism that combined with the idea of ​​creative economy. As a result, tradition has become a commodity and economic value.