ROYAL PLOUGHING CEREMONY
(A TRADITIONAL CUSTOM TO ENSURE A BOUNTIFUL HARVEST)
The Royal Ploughing Ceremony, or “Bon Chroat Preah Nongkoal”
in the Khmer language, is solemnly celebrated at the beginning of the sowing
and planting season. Every year in May, this cultural ceremony takes place at
the park in front of the National Museum (next to the Royal Palace).
Cambodia
has a deep connection with the earth and farming. There is a deep astrological
belief that royal oxen known in Khmer as Usapheak Reach have an instrument role
in determining the fate of the agricultural harvest each year.
Traditionally, the King Meak, representing the King of
Cambodia, ploughs the field whilst the Queen, the Preah Mehuo, sows seeds from
behind. The field is ceremoniously ploughed 3 times around. The royal servants
then drive the royal oxen to 7 golden trays containing rice, corn, sesame
seeds, beans, grass, water and wine to feed. The royal soothsayers interpret
what the oxen have eaten and predict a series of events including epidemics, floods,
good harvest and excessive rainfall. At this festival, both men and women wear
brightly colored Khmer traditional costume.
BACKGROUD: Also known as Farmer’s Day, the ceremony is
rooted in Brahman belief and is held to ensure a good harvest. It marks the
beginning of the rice growing season usually held on the 4th day of
the 6th lunar month’s waning moon.
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