subject: The Royal Ploughing Ceremony, A Unique Festival [print this page] The Ploughing Ceremony is held each year at the time of the sixth lunar month (May), facing the Grand Palace, at Sanam Luang. The ceremony which marks the official commencement of the season of rice-planting, features the involvement of the King of Thailand, and is conducted with great fervour and vibrancy.
The Ploughing Ceremony has ancient roots and is thought to date back more than 2,500 years to the time of the Buddha. The origins of the event are thought to be found in Brahman traditions and even in the present day Brahman astrologers provide the precise time and date for the rite. Even in centuries past the event was a magnificent affair and in the modern era the authentic ceremonies and rituals have been meticulously preserved.
The king designates a Lord of the Festival (actually the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives) to preside over the ceremony; four unmarried female Ministry officials are designated as Celestial Maidens to aid him.
The Lord of the Festival selects from three 'Panungs', cloths worn around the hips; if he chooses the shortest cloth there will be abundant rain in the coming year. If he chooses the longest cloth there will be little rain, and if he chooses the cloth of medium length there will be average rainfall.
A colourful procession follows, with a gold and red plough drawn by decorated sacred bulls. Brahmans blowing conch shells and chanting, drummers attired in green and the consecrated women bearing silver and gold baskets full of rice seed follow the plough.
The bulls are offered seven different kinds of food and drink - beans, rice, maize, sesame, hay, liquor and water. The items chosen by the bulls are expected to be abundant in the coming year.
After the ploughing, the Lord of the Festival sprinkles rice grain over the newly ploughed earth. After the end of the ceremony, hundreds hurry to the spot hoping to collect some of the rice seed to assure a plentiful harvest.
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by: Pushpitha Wijesinghe
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