The Royal Plowing ceremony is the Traditionally held in Pisak (in May) at the start of Rainy season when Khmer people start preparing to do the farming.

The Royal Plowing ceremony celebrated this year on May 15 the Royal Field in Kampong Chhnang Stadium, located in Klaing Prakvillage, Sangkat Pha-er, Kampong Chhnangtown, Kampong Chhnang province.

The annual event was presided over by His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah BoromneathNorodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia. Senior officials from the government and parliament, as well as foreign

ambassadors accredited to Cambodia attended the ceremony.

The ritual ceremony is also held to pray for a good harvest. Consequently, the royal ploughing Ceremony is held every year.

One of the 1st day of Waning moon, the Brahmans conduct feasting at the 5 decorated canopies.

The canopies are set up at 5 compass Points:East South, East South west, North west and North East .

After the five day of the Brahmanic feast, the King initiates the plowing to ensure success in farming for all his people.

Today, the King can assign his representative to do the duty.

The representative is always called Sdach Miechalthough he is not the king and his wife is called preah mehour ,Sdech Miech and preah Mehourdress as kings.

Sdech Miech sits on the salieng and preahMehour sit on a hammock like litter followed by about 40 dignitaries.

The ceremony is based around three ploughs: the leading plough is called Nangkoil yong, the second one is ploughed by the king.

Preah Mehour walks following the third plough, sowing the rice seeds carried by one of her aids. Pin peat continues playing Bot Klom until the procession has been around the Royal Rice Fields three times.

The plowing stops at the decorated canopy located in the East and the King pays his respects again and then returns to his seat.

This year the ceremony was held this morning in Takeo province.

His majesty King Norodom Sihamoni presides over the ceremony, which marks the beginning of Crop planting season in Cambodia.

After the plowing, two royal oxen were driven to the seven trays containing paddy, beans, corn, sesame, water, wine and grass.

At the same time, the group of Brahmans made predictions using the holy cows eat.

Seven kinds of food are placed before the king ‘s seat:

-Water: water it means there will be rain

Rice:  eat rice, it means a good harvest for farmers in the year ahead.

Beans: eat beans, it means a bountiful harvest of beans

Sesame: eat sesame, it means a bountiful harvest.

Corn: eat corn, it means a bountiful harvest of corn.

Grass: eat grass, it means disease will be prevailed over the nation.

Wine: drink wine it means the nation will suffer at the hands of gangsters, robbers or drunkards.

 

By Pheara!