AFP
PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA - Hundreds of Cambodians on Thursday began a ceremony for the death of a 'holy cow' whose spit could supposedly cure several illnesses, local officials said.
The mystical calf, which reportedly had unusual skin that looked like crocodile hide, was born on Tuesday and died earlier Thursday in northern Pursat province, village chief Sok Mim said.
He said around 100 villagers gathered at the house of the cow's owner for a three-day memorial ceremony.
"A lot of people have flocked to the ceremony. They offered money and lit incense sticks before the cow to pray for it to be reborn and live a longer life," said Sok Mim.
"The cow looked strange. Its legs have signs like carved arts, and its skin is like a crocodile's skin. Old people believe that the cow is holy," Sok Mim said.
"Some people used the spit from the cow's mouth to cure their toothache and other illness. They said they recovered from aches afterwards," Sok Mim added.
A local police official said villagers believed the cow had mystical powers because there had been a lot of rain in the drought-hit village after its birth.
Cambodians are highly superstitious, particularly in the countryside where people continue to meld animist practices with Buddhism.
The mystical calf, which reportedly had unusual skin that looked like crocodile hide, was born on Tuesday and died earlier Thursday in northern Pursat province, village chief Sok Mim said.
He said around 100 villagers gathered at the house of the cow's owner for a three-day memorial ceremony.
"A lot of people have flocked to the ceremony. They offered money and lit incense sticks before the cow to pray for it to be reborn and live a longer life," said Sok Mim.
"The cow looked strange. Its legs have signs like carved arts, and its skin is like a crocodile's skin. Old people believe that the cow is holy," Sok Mim said.
"Some people used the spit from the cow's mouth to cure their toothache and other illness. They said they recovered from aches afterwards," Sok Mim added.
A local police official said villagers believed the cow had mystical powers because there had been a lot of rain in the drought-hit village after its birth.
Cambodians are highly superstitious, particularly in the countryside where people continue to meld animist practices with Buddhism.
5 comments:
i think belief system is ok. it heals and calms people. it's a regional and cultural thing. only highly educated people will understand this phenomenon. study anthropology in college, it will open your eyes and mind! god bless cambodia.
Stupid people! They remain and will remain stupid, even 200 years later!
I merely doubt how long most Khmers of this type put away such a superstition. They pray in most strange things such 5-legged cows, a banana with long fruit, floating rock... They have been deep under less scientific methods. How can they get cured with cow's lava and the like. They should think of and go to their public hospitals which almost are sold out and cannot cure them with fair fee because of the failure of their leadership. Until they demand their hospitals they will not walk away those beliefs.
We must educate those stupid people not to be superstitious.
Superstition = Ignorance + danger for the Country
that's right, just don't make it a national belief. i think if it's local or regional belief, then it is ok. i pray that it's not a national religion. yes, it's compromise national security and national scientific education. keep in small, ok! it's called religious diversity, no one has to believe it if they chose not to, but no respect other's rights, though! that's all!
Post a Comment