The "My Village Smile-ស្នាមញញឹមភូមិខ្ញុំ" program to showcase the traditional Cambodian rice harvesting method
On the morning of December 7, 2024, the Siem Reap Provincial Administration collaborated with the Bakong Village Tourism Community. With the organization led by Mr. Chem Chan Ra (known as Pak Mee), they arranged the "My Village Smile" program to demonstrate traditional rice harvesting methods, including ox cart transportation of rice, rice bundling, threshing, winnowing, rice pounding, cooking, and making traditional cakes.
The event took place in Thnal Trung Village, Bakong Commune, Prasat Bakong District, Siem Reap Province. Under the leadership of Mr. Ngov Sengkak, Deputy Governor of Siem Reap Province, the program was attended by approximately 100 national and international guests, along with many local residents.
The creation of the "My Village Smile" program aims to commemorate the memories of traditional rice harvesting practices - cutting, threshing, winnowing, and transporting rice, as well as communal rice cooking. It reflects on the peaceful life of Cambodian people from ancient times to the present, highlighting the progress, peace, and stability in Cambodia.
The traditional harvest collection involved participation from provincial leaders, district and commune authorities, foreign tourists, and numerous farmer residents. Looking practically, traditional rice harvesting is extremely challenging, as it requires full human and animal labor, unlike modern agricultural practices that benefit from machinery to reduce human effort.
Mr. Suot Suo, chairman of the Bakong Village Tourism Community and the program organizer, stated that this is the first time such an event has been held in Prasat Bakong District. The program intends to recall the ancestral traditions of rice cutting with sickles, and especially to demonstrate and teach international tourists how to cut, bundle, thresh, pound rice, prepare rice for cooking, and make traditional cakes.
Mr. Chem Chan Ra (Pak Mee), who was the main organizer and manager of the "My Village Smile" program, mentioned that this is his second such event - the first was held in Svay Rieng Province, and this one in Prasat Bakong, Siem Reap Province. He explained that the program aims to show tourists the traditional methods of rice harvesting practiced by Cambodian ancestors.
Mr. Chem Chan Ra further shared that he plans to organize similar events in other provinces. In the near future in Siem Reap Province, he also intends to arrange fish catching activities with international tourists.
By: SiemreapWonder Teams ( Mr.Chhiev Mout)
