Royal Ploughing Ceremony in Thailand
May 11 · Level 5 · #1342 of 2238
Thailand's Royal Ploughing Ceremony welcomes the growing season and expresses hopes for a plentiful harvest. It gives rice farming a place at the centre of national ceremonial life. The ceremony's date is set separately each year.
How it is celebrated: a ceremonial plough drawn by oxen crosses Bangkok's Sanam Luang grounds while rice seed is scattered. Brahmin priests conduct the ritual, and the animals' choices from offerings of food and drink are interpreted as signs for the coming season.
Spectators collect rice grains left on the ground afterwards. These are considered auspicious and may be mixed with farmers' own seed before planting.