Khmer Calendar 1987

The 1987 Khmer calendar reflects a year of transition in Cambodia, then known as the People's Republic of Kampuchea . It follows a traditional lunisolar system

Part 1: Understanding the Mechanics of the Khmer Calendar

Before diving into the specific dates of 1987, it is essential to understand why the Khmer calendar is unique. Unlike the Western Gregorian calendar (solar) or the Islamic calendar (purely lunar), the Khmer calendar is lunisolar. khmer calendar 1987

Khmer Calendar Details:

• Meak Bochea: (Full moon of the 3rd lunar month) – February 12, 1987
• Visak Bochea (Vesak): (Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and passing) – May 12, 1987
• Chol Vassa (Buddhist Lent begins) – July 11, 1987 (first waning moon of the 8th month)
• Kathen (End of Lent & robe-offering season) – October 8, 1987 (end of the 11th lunar month)

September – October 1987: The End of Lent

• September: Month of Phattap (ភទ្របទ)
• October 7-9, 1987: Kan Ben (Ancestors' Day). This is the most critical period in the Khmer calendar. In 1987, families who had lost relatives during the Democratic Kampuchea era (1975-1979) offered food to the monks, hoping to transfer merit to the wandering ghosts (Pret). The 1987 calendar would have been marked with red ink for these 15 days.
• October 30, 1987: Kathen Ceremony – The offering of new robes to monks.

In the Khmer zodiac, 1987 is designated as the Year of the Rabbit (Thos). In Cambodian culture, those born in this year are often believed to possess gentle, elegant, and diplomatic personalities. The 1987 Khmer calendar reflects a year of

Characteristics: Those born in this year are often described as gentle, sensitive, and elegant. The "Fire" element adds a layer of passion and confidence to the Rabbit’s typically reserved nature. Meak Bochea: (Full moon of the 3rd lunar

2026 aligns with the years 2015, 2009, 1998, 1987, 1981, and 1970

In 1987, the calendar in was a blend of modern and ancient traditions. While the country officially followed the Gregorian calendar for government and business, its cultural heart beat to the rhythm of the Khmer Traditional Calendar (Chântôkôtĕ). The Year 1987 in Khmer Context