Racing to preserve Khmer tradition: Cambodian farmers bring best oxen for annual cart race

Record ID: 2373591

  • Title: Racing to preserve Khmer tradition: Cambodian farmers bring best oxen for annual cart race
  • Date: 5th April 2026
  • Summary: KAMPONG SPEU PROVINCE, CAMBODIA (APRIL 5, 2026) (REUTERS) FARMERS RACING OX CARTS SPECTATORS LOOKING ON VARIOUS OF OX CARTS COMPETING ON DIRT TRACK OFFICIALS FROM KAMPONG SPEU PROVINCE’S CULTURE AND FINE ARTS DEPARTMENT WATCHING RACE (SOUNDBITE) (Khmer) CHAIRMAN OF KAMPONG SPEU PROVINCE’S CULTURE AND FINE ARTS DEPARTMENT, SUN MEANCHEY, SAYING:     “With the support from Ka
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  • Keywords: Cambodia cart culture ox race racing
  • Location: KAMPONG SPEU PROVINCE, CAMBODIA
  • City: KAMPONG SPEU PROVINCE, CAMBODIA
  • Country: Cambodia
  • Topics: Asia / Pacific,Society/Social Issues
  • Reuters ID: LVA001997005042026RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:       Cambodian farmers went full throttle on Sunday (April 5), bringing their prized oxen to the racetrack for this year’s annual ox cart race, held just ahead of the mid‑April Khmer New Year and the rice‑harvesting season.
        A centuries‑old tradition, the event was revived more than a decade ago by officials and farmers keen to prevent the practice from disappearing as tractors and modern farm equipment increasingly replace oxen across the countryside.
        “I urge farmers to feed and raise more oxen, especially at a time when gas prices are so high,” said Sak Sim, a farmer and race participant. “They can use them to plough fields like in the old days and save money.”
        This year marked the 12th edition of the race since its revival. Organisers said the event attracted 80 contestants and hundreds of spectators to the one‑kilometre dirt track in Kampong Speu province, about 53 kilometres (33 miles) west of the capital, Phnom Penh.
        The winner received a trophy and a cash prize of two million Cambodian riel ($500).
        (Production: Chantha Lach)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2026. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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