ID :
121779
Thu, 05/13/2010 - 11:45
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http://m.oananews.org//node/121779
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Royal Ploughing Ceremony foresees abundant food, sufficient water
BANGKOK, May 13 (TNA) – Thailand's traditional soothsayers predict an abundance of food production in the kingdom during the coming year, and sufficient water with good yields for paddy fields in the lowlands after divining the signs indicated in the royal ploughing ceremony Thursday morning.
The ancient ploughing ceremony in Buddhist Thailand was presided over by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, representing His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, marks the end of the dry season and is meant to herald an auspicious start for the rice-planting season in a region where many people still depend on agriculture.
Permanent Secretary for Agriculture and Cooperatives Yukol Limlamthong, who served in the Brahman ceremony from ancient India as the Lord of the Plough or Phraya Raekna, was offered three pieces of folded cloth of three different lengths and he selected the longest length.
Based on his selection, a slight shortage of water supply was predicted with good yields for paddy fields in lowlands but the crops would not be entirely fruitful at higher elevations.
When the ploughing was finished, the sacred oxen, Fah and Sai, were presented with seven different foods and drink--rice seed, beans, maize, hay, sesame seed, water and liquor.
The sacred oxen ate the grasses and the Brahmin seers accordingly interpreted their actions as meaning there will be sufficient water suppy and abundant food and crops in the kingdom of Thailand during the coming year.
After the ceremony, the the onlooking crowd scrambles for the seeds sown by the Lord of the Plough as the seeds are regarded as totems which will bring the owners wealth and good luck. Local farmers will mix the seeds with their own rice to ensure a good crop in the coming year.
The royal ploughing ceremony is an ancient Indian Brahmanic rite, in which sacred oxen plough a furrow at the Sanam Luang ceremonial ground. The ceremony has been performed in Thailand since the Sukhothai period, some 700 years ago.
Four consecrated ladies carried gold and silver baskets filled with rice seed, which they scattered into the newly-ploughed furrow. Walking alongside the plough are official Brahmans from the royal court who were chanting and blowing conch shells. (TNA)
The ancient ploughing ceremony in Buddhist Thailand was presided over by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, representing His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, marks the end of the dry season and is meant to herald an auspicious start for the rice-planting season in a region where many people still depend on agriculture.
Permanent Secretary for Agriculture and Cooperatives Yukol Limlamthong, who served in the Brahman ceremony from ancient India as the Lord of the Plough or Phraya Raekna, was offered three pieces of folded cloth of three different lengths and he selected the longest length.
Based on his selection, a slight shortage of water supply was predicted with good yields for paddy fields in lowlands but the crops would not be entirely fruitful at higher elevations.
When the ploughing was finished, the sacred oxen, Fah and Sai, were presented with seven different foods and drink--rice seed, beans, maize, hay, sesame seed, water and liquor.
The sacred oxen ate the grasses and the Brahmin seers accordingly interpreted their actions as meaning there will be sufficient water suppy and abundant food and crops in the kingdom of Thailand during the coming year.
After the ceremony, the the onlooking crowd scrambles for the seeds sown by the Lord of the Plough as the seeds are regarded as totems which will bring the owners wealth and good luck. Local farmers will mix the seeds with their own rice to ensure a good crop in the coming year.
The royal ploughing ceremony is an ancient Indian Brahmanic rite, in which sacred oxen plough a furrow at the Sanam Luang ceremonial ground. The ceremony has been performed in Thailand since the Sukhothai period, some 700 years ago.
Four consecrated ladies carried gold and silver baskets filled with rice seed, which they scattered into the newly-ploughed furrow. Walking alongside the plough are official Brahmans from the royal court who were chanting and blowing conch shells. (TNA)
