In a time-honored tradition, Cambodia’s Royal Ploughing Ceremony took place this morning, with His Majesty Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia, in attendance. The annual event is considered an auspicious occasion, as the appetite of the royal oxen is believed to predict the agricultural fortunes of the nation. This year, the oxen consumed an impressive 95 percent of the rice, corn, and beans offered to them, signaling a bountiful harvest for the country’s main crops.
The ceremony was held in the Trapaing Russey Commune, Kampong Svay District, Kampong Thom Province, with several high-ranking officials and foreign diplomats present, including Senate President Samdech Vibol Sena Pheakdei Say Chhum and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Samdech Kralahom Sar Kheng.
Kampong Thom Province Governor H.E. Ngoun Ratanak took on the role of “King Meak” during the ceremony, guiding the royal oxen as they plowed the Royal Field. His spouse acted as “Queen Mehua,” scattering seeds in the furrows created by the plowing. Following the plowing, the royal oxen were presented with seven trays containing paddy, beans, corn, sesame, water, wine, and grass.
Cambodia’s Royal Ploughing Ceremony, a time-honored tradition, predicts a prosperous harvest for the nation as royal oxen consume 95% of rice, corn, and beans. The event marks the beginning of the crop planting season and the country anticipates growth and prosperity.
The Royal Brahmin, a high-ranking religious official, interpreted the oxen’s consumption of 95 percent of the rice, corn, and beans as a positive sign for agricultural growth in Cambodia. Farmers were encouraged to prepare for a busy and prosperous farming season.
Prime Minister Hun Sen took to his official Facebook page to wish the nation a “Happy Royal Plowing Ceremony” and to emphasize the importance of the event in predicting the country’s agricultural outcomes. The Prime Minister also reminded farmers that the crop planting season is about to begin.
The Royal Ploughing Ceremony is a traditional event held annually during the month of Visak (the 6th month in the Khmer lunar calendar) to mark the beginning of the crop planting season in Cambodia. The ceremony is believed to forecast the distribution of rainfall and subsequent rice harvesting in the country based on the royal oxen’s appetite for paddy, corn, bean, grass, sesame, water, and wine.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Royal Ploughing Ceremony was canceled for the past three years. The last celebration took place in 2019 in Daun Keo city, Takeo Province, presided over by His Majesty the King. With the return of the ceremony this year and the favorable prediction for Cambodia’s agricultural sector, the nation looks forward to a season of growth and prosperity.
Source: Khmer Times
