Cambodia’s Bunong Preserve Ancestral Rituals to Bless Farming Season

By Riem Sokheng

MONDULKIRI, April 29, 2026 (KPT) — Indigenous Bunong communities in northeastern Cambodia are preserving centuries-old traditions by holding spiritual ceremonies to bless the start of the farming season, officials said Wednesday.

Ahead of planting, villagers gather to honor the “spirits of water and land,” praying for favorable weather, sufficient rainfall and abundant harvests. Elders lead the rituals with traditional dances and offerings of rice wine, chickens and local foods, reflecting deep-rooted beliefs that ancestral spirits and nature are vital to agricultural success.

Community members say the ceremonies are performed not only before planting but also at harvest, as a way to give thanks and pray for continued well-being.

Officials and locals note the rituals highlight the strong bond between indigenous communities and their natural environment, while safeguarding cultural identity passed down through generations. They add that such traditions also contribute to cultural tourism, offering visitors deeper insight into indigenous life and heritage in Cambodia.