Phnom Penh, May 22, 2019 –His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia, presided over the annual Royal Ploughing ceremony in Daun Keo city, Takeo province.
National Assembly President Samdech Akka Moha Ponhea Chakrei Heng Samrin, Senate President Samdech Vibol Sena Pheakdei Say Chhum, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Samdech Kralahom Sar Kheng, and many other high-ranking officials as well as foreign diplomats accredited to Cambodia were also present on the occasion.
During the ceremony, H.E. Ouch Phea, Governor of Takeo province, played the role of “King Meak” by guiding the royal oxen and plowing around the Royal Field, while his spouse played the role of “Queen Mehua” by walking behind scattering seeds on the furrowed ground in Kirivong Sok Sen Chey stadium’s football field in Daun Keo city.
After the ploughing, two royal oxen were driven to the seven trays containing paddy, beans, corn, sesame, water, wine and grass. The oxen ate 90 percent of corn, and 85 percent of bean and rice.
This is a good sign for corn, bean and rice growing in the country this year, said a Royal Brahmin, calling on Cambodian farmers to be ready to do their farming.
Last year, this annual event was held in Sras Vong village, Sangkat Svay Rieng, Svay Rieng city. At that time, the oxen ate about 95 percent of rice and corn, and some 80 percent of beans.
Royal Ploughing is the traditional ceremony to mark the beginning of the crop planting season in Cambodia.
According to the tradition, the Royal Plowing ceremony is celebrated to predict the upcoming distribution of rainfall, thus rice harvesting, in the country through the oxen’s appetite of paddy, corn, bean, grass, sesame, water, wine.
By Khan Sophirom
