Cambodian oxen predict peace and good harvest ahead

May 23, 2008, 5:32 GMT

Phnom Penh - Cambodians stopped for the annual Royal Ploughing Ceremony Friday, intently watching what two royal oxen would eat for clues to the upcoming rice season - and the answer was good, royal astrologers said.

Presided over by King Norodom Sihamoni in the royal field next to the Cambodian royal palace, the lavish ceremony saw dignitaries parade three times around the area's perimeter with the animals symbolically ploughing.

The oxen were then led to a range of seven bowls to eat from.

Cambodians believe how much corn, soy beans, sesame, rice, grass, water and rice wine the animals consume can predict the future.

The two deep-brown beasts, decked out in gold and crimson livery, devoured almost all of the corn, also nibbling on rice and soy beans.

They apparently decided it was too early to tipple at the morning ceremony, however, which is a good sign as if they drink rice wine it is believed to predict war and turmoil ahead.

Royal astrologers told the king that the animals' choices meant there would be corn in abundance, a better than average rice crop and a fair soy bean harvest.

The event was attended by around 1,000 spectators and simulcast on every television station in the nation.