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 Rice: Food From the Gods
In India, rice is associated with prosperity and with the Hindu Goddess of Wealth,
Lakshmi. Rice is worshiped as Lakshmi during the full moon day following the
Durga puja, a Hindu ceremony.
In Japan, it is said that the first cultivator of rice was the Sun Goddess
Amatereshu-Omi-Kami. She grew rice in the fields of heaven, giving the first harvest to Prince Ninigi.
In Thailand, the Rice Mother Mae Posop is worshiped as rice itself. It is believed that, like a mother who feeds her
children, Mae Posop gives her body and soul to sustain human life. At
harvest, Mae Posop is said to be shy and easily frightened by men. Before harvest, no men, loud noises, or talk of
death and demons are permitted. Such disturbances are thought to result in and crop failure.
Top Ten Facts About Rice:
- Rice
helps feed two-thirds of the world's population.
- Rice
has been feeding mankind for more than 5,000 years.
- The
first documented account of rice was by a Chinese emperor about 2,800 BC.
- Colonists
were the first to cultivate rice in America. It began by accident when a ship's
captain made a gift of "Golde
Seede Rice" to a local planter in South Carolina.
- Arkansas
is the leading rice producing state, followed by California, Louisiana, Texas,
Mississippi, Missouri and Florida.
- Rice
is used in beer, dog food, baby food, breakfast cereals, snacks, frozen foods
and sauces, and much more!
- There
is also research on growing rice that is packed with vitamins.
This could help feed many people who live in countries with little food.
- Rice
can germinate and thrive in flooded fields.
- Rice
is sometimes planted by broadcasting seeds from an airplane.
- Most
of the rice grown in Arkansas is classified as long grain rice.
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