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Myanmar travel information and Festival
Main Festivals in Myanmar :
Myanmar is known as the Land
of Festivals because Myanmar people celebrate at least one festival
in every month. There are religious and culture festivals,
nation-wide special day celebrations (e.g. Independence Day,
National day, etc.). The followings are some of the most magnificent
festivals in Myanmar.
Ananda Pagoda
Festival (Bagan) :
Ananda Pagoda festival is held in
Pyatho, the tenth month in Myanmar calendar during cool season
(December-January) and it is one of the most popular pagoda
festivals in the country. Group of villagers from surrounding
villages come to this Pagoda festival with bullock-carts to came in
the pagoda compound. It is worth for visitors to see the customs of
villagers as well as the sale fair selling various kind of local
product. The most attractive products are the toys which are made
from clay or of papers (owl, white horse, etc.), sort of containers
made from bamboo, brooms and brass balance. Evening entertainments
are such as Zat Pwe: a variety of dance, song, circus and short and
long plays; and Anyeints: a few hours lasting performance of jokers
together with traditional lady dancers.
Naga New Year
Festival (Leshi, Sagaing Division, North-west of Myanmar) :
The Naga are one of Myanmar
national races who live in the upper Sagaing division, north-west of
Myanmar, towards the Indian boarder. Their New Year festival is
celebrated in the second week of January and lasts for two days.
Nagas come from surrounding areas to participate in their
traditional costumes. On the morning of the first day is the opening
of the Naga traditional field with the erection of the Naga Pole. In
the evening visitors can enjoy a stage show of the Naga Youth
Association. On the second day, the opening ceremony of the Naga New
Year Festival is held with a presentation of Naga History and
performing of Naga traditional dances. In the afternoon visitors can
enjoy the performance of Naga Pan (playing of the traditional Drum)
and Naga sporting competitions. The evening is celebrated with large
bonfires and for dinner the Naga serve wild boar and drunken bison
meat to a lot of rice wine. The place where the festival held is a
little bit far from the regular tourist sights in the country, it
takes four to five days to complete a festival package. It had been
celebrated for three years and visitors become more and more
interested.
Shwedagon Pagoda
Festival (Yangon) :
Shwedagon Pagoda Festival is always held on fullmoon day of Tabaung,
the twelfth and last month of Myanmar calendar and usually falls
into March. Local food and products are sold in many stalls, which
are set up at the foot of Theingoattaya hill. It is worth while for
visitors to see how Myanmar people participate in religious
festivals and how they enjoy their holiday.
Pindaya Shwe Oo Min
Pagoda Festival (Pindaya, Southern Shan State) :
Pindaya Shwe Oo Min cave Pagoda festival is held on
and around fullmoon day of Tabaung as well. It starts seven days
before the full moon day. During the festival time, thousands of
devotees come from villages around the area to the cave. A kind of
pagoda mall is set up at the foot of the hill under big shady Banyan
trees to sell local products.
Kakku Pagoda
Festival (Kakku Pagoda, Southern Shan State) :
Kakku Pagoda festival is also held on fullmoon day of
Tabaung. Pa-O people from all the surrounding villages come in their
best costumes to pay homage to the pagoda. Similar to other Myanmar
pagoda festivals some come in bullock carts and camp under the huge
banyan trees.
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