The Cambodian New Year typically falls on April 13th or 14th. Part of the celebration includes playing games such as "Leak Kanseng". It's played with a twisted up towel or scarf.

(The pronunciation can be found in the Notes.)

Notes

Pronunciation:

Leak Kanseng!
Chhma khaaim keng!
Oh long oh long

Game Instructions

A group of children crouch down or sit in a circle. One child (#1) holds a "kanseng" (Cambodian towel twisted into a round shape) and walks around the outside of the circle while everyone sings the song. The child walking around secretly tries to place the "kanseng" behind one of the children. When the scarf is dropped behind someone (#2), that child has to get up and chase around the circle the person sitting next to them on the right (#3) and child who first had the scarf (#1). The one who had the scarf (#1) takes the child's place (child #3) in the circle. Child #3 should sit in the place of child #2. Then the person behind whom the scarf was placed (#2) is the new person to go around the outside of the circle with the towel and the game begins again.

Comments

If anyone can confirm or correct the Khmer text, please email me. Thanks! Mama Lisa

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Sheet Music

Sheet Music - លាក់កន្សែង - (Leak Kanseng)