A delegation of the Southwest Steering Committee on Sept. 22 led by its Deputy Head Bui Ngoc Suong visited and congratulated Khmer people in Bac Lieu province on the occasion of Sene Donta Festival 2011.

The delegation visited the provincial Patriotic United Buddhist Association and presented gifts to monks and nuns of Xiem Can pagoda in Bac Lieu city and Cu Lao pagoda in Vinh Loi district along with seven Buddhist families and poor households.

Most Venerable Ly Sa Muoth, President of the provincial Patriotic United Buddhist Association, said that the association would encourage Buddhist followers to engage in production activities to reduce poverty, contributing to further developing the locality.

The same day, Deputy Head of the Southwest Steering Committee, Huynh Minh Doan visited Khleang, SomRong, Chrui Tum Chas pagodas in Soc Trang city and Prek On Dok pagoda in My Xuyen district in Soc Trang provinve. They also handed over gifts to 15 local poor Khmer households in the locality.

Sene Donta is one of the largest Khmer festival commemorating and paying tribute to their ancestors and those who contributed to the homeland.

The Khmer observe Sene Donta from the 15 th to the end of the lunar August by offering rice and food to their ancestors and Buddhist venerables, and organising requiems for the dead./.