RICE   - Oryza sativa

Early people probably domesticated rice from wild plants that grew in southwestern China and on the Indochinese peninsula. From the site of an ancient village in China’s Chang (Yangtze) River valley, archaeologists have excavated rice grains that date back to 5000 BC. Rice grew throughout Asia and was carried to western Europe eventually, and on to South America by the Spanish and Portuguese. Africans brought to the American colonies as slaves planted, tended and harvested the rice fields of South Carolina from the 1600’s to the 1800’s. Today Arkansas produces one-third of the rice grown in the U.S.
Rice grows most easily in wetlands, the flooded fields called “paddies.” From earliest times, rice farming required time and cooperative labor.

Legend has it that the Chinese emperor planted the first rice seeds each year in a special ceremony.

There are many rice ceremonies and festivals still held around the world.
 This is the royal Thai rice planting ceremony held annually in Bangkok.

Rice kernels once planted, germinate and the foot tall seedlings pulled up,
bundled for transfer to the main paddy field.

While the seedlings are growing in the nursery field, the main field is plowed and weeds are removed.
Traditionally, water buffalo were used for this work. Now mechanical tractors do this work.

Each seedling is transplanted a foot apart.
This labor intensive work is now mostly done mechanically.

Rice field irrigation system in Phillipines, early 20th century.

Rice harvest in Japan, mid 20th century.

Indonesians create palm straw images of Dewi Sri,
who by tradition is the guardian diety of the rice crop.

These are traditional Indonesian rice harvest tools.
The blades were set in wood, in this case carved horses.
The blades were concealed in the hand, so as not to disturb Dewi Sri
or other spirits believed to guard the crop.

This is a Japanese rice harvester doll.
The head scarf and face covering is to protect her from the dusty conditions.

 Mechanical rice harvester in Japan.

In Thailand and elsewhere in southeast Asia,
the traditional method for separating the rice kernels from their stalks is
to pound bundles against the edge of a barrel.

Threshing machines are a more efficient method for separating the rice.

Here is a Taiwanese model of a rice threshing machine.

This is a rice processing scene from India circa mid 20th century.
In the background, the girl is pounding the rice to dehusk it.
In the foreground, girls are grinding the kernels into flour.

Here is a collection of postage stamps from various countries with various rice related scenes.

Coins from Vietnam and Thailand feature rice-related scenes.
The coin at the top, depicts the annual ceremony in which the King of Thailand
presides over the start of the rice planting season.

Rice is an important commodity in many countries around the world and is honored on their currency.
Here are examples from on the top to bottom: Indonesia, Laos and Guyana in South America.

Besides rice honored on stamps, coins and currency,
Burma or Myanmar's national flag features a sprig of rice.

Rice eating scene, China, 19th century.

Here is an Indonesian family having dinner. Notice the prominent pot of rice.

The traditional Japanese New Year food is a mochi, a type of rice pudding
prepared by pounding with a wooden mallet.

Here is a rice pudding from Mexico which features raisins and cinnamon.

Two other rice preparations among the thousands of recipes for this versatile grain are:
jollof rice from West Africa (top) and paella from Spain (below).

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