'Cambodia's 'Magic' Oxen Predict Bumper Harvest.' This caption
hit many a world media on 30 April 2002. It refers to the first
ploughing (Raek Nakwan) ceremony and forecasting of harvest and
rains, held at the Veal Preahmein Square royal grounds, north of
the Royal Palace, outside Phnom Penh's National Museum. Tracing
a symbolic furrow at the end of the annual Royal Ploughing
Ceremony (Preah Nongkoal), Prince Norodom Yuvaneath (King
Norodom Sihanouk's son), dressed in the traditional robes of the
royal court, commemorated an auspicious beginning of the new
rice planting season based on an ancient Brahman custom around a
procession of three royal oxen who walk around the 'Royal Rice
Fields', three times. The second plough in the procession is
traditionally controlled by the King, and the third plough sows
the seeds. Both King Norodom Sihamoni and Prime Minister Hun Sen
have overseen the rite. Hitched to a wooden plough, the two
sacred oxen plough the ceremonial 'sacred furrow' (Bonn Chroat
Preah Nongkoal) befo