Royal ploughing ceremony in Phnom Pehn

The Royal Ploughing Ceremony marks the start of the new rice planting season and is an ancient tradition that dates back to the Sukhothai period (1257-1350AD). The ceremony is an ancient Brahminical rite which is carried out in the hope of providing a bountiful crop come harvest time. Performed by a master of ceremonies known as King Meakh, he circles a field three times whilst being followed by a woman known as Queen Me Hour who plants seeds. Based on a number of signs read from the Earth, King Meakh determines the weather patterns and predicts whether or not this year will provide a good harvest.