Monday, May 22, 2006
Thai Royal Soothsayers Predict Coming Harvest in a 700 Years Old Ceremony
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Snow-white royal oxen draped in bright yellow mantles sniffed bowls of whisky along with grass and other food as Thailand's royal soothsayers watched closely to predict the coming harvest.
 Thai Brahmen with royal oxen
© AFP Pornchai KittiwongsakulTraditional music swelled in the air as the cattle headed to the bowl of grass. According to the fortune-tellers, this means farmers can expect less rain but abundant crops this year.
The oxen in this centuries-old agricultural ritual are considered sacred to many Thais. As the cattle ploughed a small section of the Sanam Luang royal park in central Bangkok, the master of ceremonies sowed seeds to mark the beginning of the planting season.
The oxen were then offered bowls of seven types of food or drink -- whisky, grass, sesame seeds, beans, rice, maize and water. Depending on what the animals eat or drink, soothsayers forecast the upcoming season.
Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and his family attended the event, as did hundreds of dignitaries, government officials, Thais and tourists alike. Outgoing prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was also present.
 Thai Brahman offer food to a royal oxen
© AFP Pornchai KittiwongsakulThe ceremony was as solemn as it was colorful, with participants decked out in cultural dress and the fortune-tellers known as Brahmans wearing bright red uniforms.
At the end of the ceremony, Suthiporn Chirapandu, deputy secretary of the agriculture ministry, reported the outcome to the prince.
"The royal soothsayers predicted that rice cultivated in low-lying fields will be fruitful but not on the higher ground because of less rain," Suthiporn said.
Even though it is an agricultural ceremony, urban Thais also appreciate the Brahman tradition.
"I don't know much about the story but we think that this will give us good luck," said Khanittha Orak, 25, who added that at the end of the ceremony, people rush into the freshly-ploughed field to claim one of the sowed seeds for good fortune.
The royal ceremony is meant to raise farmers' morale at the beginning of the rainy season and has been a tradition for more than 700 years.
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