The Culture of Rice

As soon as rain drops to the land, the weather is colder. And when the sign of rainy season comes, plant’s season starts. Thais plant rice for long time and develop continuously. Once Thais had ever had Pin-Thong rice, a Thai rice’s species and the best species of the world but now it becomes extinct. Luckily, now Thais has Jasmine rice which is well-known around the world.

Around 10,000 years ago, mankind found shifting-rice plant. After that about 5,000 – 10,000 years ago, they develop to be sown-seedlings plant then transplanted rice plant. The evidence of rice plant’s development was found at Ban-Cheang, Udonthani and Punghung cave, Mae Hongsorn.

With the advantage of Thailand’s landscape on plentifully low land, Thailand is top five rice exporter of the world. The rice export is not only gain tremendous profit to Thailand but also influences Thai culture.
The relationship with rice of Thais creates lots of rice’s culture such as goddess of rice’s worship (Mae Phosop), harvest’s cooperation, thresh rice, etc. Moreover, rice also influences on Thai proverb for example Kao-Yak-Mak-Pang which means everything is so expensive.

Pic : The royal ploughing ceremony

The royal ploughing ceremony (Jarod Pranangkan Raenakwan), presumed that Thais took the influence from India, is the ancient royal ceremony to encourage the farmers.
Originally, this royal ceremony was Brahman’s ritual. The ceremony starts with plowing by a perfect characteristic couple of cows to sow the auspicious rice. Then both cows will choose one of seven food including paddy, corn, grass, nut, sesame, water and alcohol for prophecy. Finally, King or the royal representative cast lots by pick up one of panung which are different size. All these prophecy are for the cultivation.
Now this ceremony takes place on 5th May of every year at Wat Pra Kaew. This is the beginning of cultivation’s season which King or his royal representative will be the first to plant.
Rice plays the biggest role on Thais’ activities. It is Thai main course, both rice and sticky rice. Furthermore, Thai rice is one of three Asian species including sticky rice, rice and Japanese rice. Rice is also an ingredient of Thai dessert like Kaowneaw Moon and Kaowneaw Sangkayha. Moreover, rice is a part of ritual because it is the symbol of richness which is protected by the goddess of rice.
Rice is part of Thai culture, inherited from generation to generation and will be carried on forever

credit: (Thailand : The culture of rice ) : Sappasit Iamsudjai