The Royal Ploughing ceremony, which marks the beginning of the crop planting season in the country, will be observed this year in Trapaing Russey commune, Kampong Svay district of Kampong Thom province on May 8.
His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia, will preside over the annual celebration.
Senior leaders of the legislative and executive bodies as well as foreign ambassadors accredited to Cambodia will attend the ceremony, to be followed by an agricultural fair.
Governor of Kampong Thom province H.E. Ngoun Ratanak will play the role of “King Meak” by guiding the royal oxen and plowing around the Royal Field, while his spouse will be “Queen Mehua” by walking behind scattering seeds on the furrowed ground.
Usually held in May, the celebration mainly intends to flag up the commencement of rainy season among Cambodian farmers so that they are prepared for their farming, and to pray for bountiful harvest for the year.
According to the tradition, the ceremony is annually 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, and wine.
The celebration of Royal Ploughing Ceremony was cancelled in the past three years due to COVID-19 threats.
In 2019, this traditional ceremony took place in Daun Keo city, Takeo province under the royal presidency of His Majesty the King.
Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse