Recently, villagers from Veal Hosel in Cambodia's Kandal province brought their water buffaloes and horses to Veal Hosel temple to take part in a local traditional blessing rite, seeking health and peace for their livestock throughout the year and protection from disease and disaster.
At the event, the water buffaloes and horses wore brightly colored headpieces and ran at the riders' commands, drawing cheers from the gathered crowd in a lively atmosphere. Though the activity looks like a race, it carries the villagers' hopes for the safety of their livestock and a smooth agricultural season.
According to local legend, draft cattle in the area used to die frequently and inexplicably, causing great hardship for villagers. To pray for divine safeguarding, villagers vowed to hold a blessing ceremony on the final day of Pchum Ben every year, a tradition that has continued to this day as an expression of gratitude and prayer.
