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Festivals of Myanmar
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April 2008 |
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Thingyan means
transition. During the eve of old to new year,
Myanmar people celebrate water festival merrily
kids to elderly ones. During Thingyan days,
people pour water on each other for believing
that Thingyan water makes to eradicate the bad
deeds of the previous year
more
detail
>> |
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May 2008 |
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Shit Thaung
Festival, Water-pouring Ceremony, Sand Stupa
Event, Shwe Kyet Yet Pagoda’s Festival, Taung-Yo
Festival, Pa-Oh Rocket Festival
more
detail
>> |
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June 2008 |
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Pan-aing Tobacco Festival, Thi-Ho-Shin Festival,
and other Seasonal Ceremonies Without fixed
dates such as Robe-offering (Kahtein),
Wedding...
more detail
>> |
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July 2008 |
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Guardian Spirit Ceremony, Shinbin-Sargyo
Ceremony, Waso festival or Dhammasetkya Day,
Fish-feeding Festival, Thread-tying Ceremony...
more detail
>> |
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August 2008 |
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Pottery Hiding Day,
Taung-byone Ceremony, Gold pot Burying day,
Yadanagu Ceremony
more detail
>> |
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September 2008 |
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Rice Donating
Ceremony, Tooth Relic Procession, Boe-Min-Gaung
Memorial Day, Sutaung-Byi Ceremony, Phaungdaw Oo
Pagoda festival...
more
detail
>> |
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October 2008 |
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Pyetkhayway Pagoda
Ceremony, Dummy Elephant Festival, Pa-O Ceremony
of the Tree of Plenty, Thadingyut Festival...
more
detail
>> |
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November 2008 |
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Shwe-zi-gon
Festival, Kut-theinna-yon Festival, Flower
Tossing Ceremony, Tazaung daing Festival of
Lights, Hot Air Balloon Festival...
more
detail
>> |
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December 2008 |
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The Spectacled
Image Festival, Sandaw-shin Festival, Zaygalay
Ceremony, Kayin New Year, Tripitaka
Examinations, Christmas
more
detail
>> |
April '08
Thingyan, the Water
Festival
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April 12-16 : |
6th Waxing day of Tagu to
11th Waxing day of Tagu |
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Location : |
Nation-wide |
5 days ceremony.
Thingyan means transition.
During the eve of old to new
year, Myanmar people
celebrate water festival
merrily kids to elderly
ones. During Thingyan days,
people pour water on each
other for believing that
Thingyan water makes to
eradicate the bad deeds of
the previous year. Thingyan
falls on the last four days
before Myanmar New Year day,
which fall in second week of
April usually on the twelfth
or thirteenth, according to
the Gregorian calendar. |
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 May '08
Shit Thaung Festival
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May 19 : |
Full moon day of Kason |
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Location : |
Marauk-U, Rakhine state |
8 days ceremony.
Dummy boat races on land,
real boat contests and water
splashing in Mrauk-U canal
on full moon day, wresting
at the foot of the pagoda,
finals held on full moon
day. |
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Water-pouring
Ceremony
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May 19 : |
Full moon day of Kason |
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Location : |
throughout the country |
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Buddhist ladies pour
water on the sacred Bo
tree in the afternoon of
full moon day.
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Sand Stupa Event
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May 19 : |
Full moon day of Kason |
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Location : |
Min Thar Su Quarter,
Mandalay |
Held in accordance with
Thai tradition.
Believed to have been
inherited from
descendents of Thais,
captured during wars
with Thailand.
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Shwe Kyet Yet
Pagoda’s Festival
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May 18~19: |
Full moon day of Kason |
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Location : |
Amarapura, Mandalay |
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Taung-Yo Festival
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May 19: |
Full moon day of Kason |
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Location : |
Pindaya Cave, Shan State |
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Torch procession by
Taung-Yo tribe in the
early part of the night
to pay homage to the
numerous statues in the
cave. |
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Pa-Oh Rocket
Festival
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May 19 : |
Full moon day of Kason |
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Location : |
Water Hole, Taunggyi and
elsewhere |
Approx one month long
festival.
Locally made rockets
stuffed with powerful
gunpowder are
ceremoniously carried
and launched in
competition. Observed
mostly by ethnic Pa-Oh
people to predict the
weather and crop. Young
men and women use small
mirrors to one another.
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June
'08
Pan-aing Tobacco
Festival
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June 10 : |
7th waxing day of Nayon |
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Location : |
Pan-aing Village, Mahlaing
township |
16 days festival
Famous wholesale market fair
of native-grown tobacco. |
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Thi-Ho-Shin Festival
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June 4~11 : |
Waxing day of Nayon |
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Location : |
Pakokku |
16 days festival
Paying homage to the
image presented by the
King of Ceylon some 800
years ago.
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Buddhist Recitations
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June 18
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Full moon day of Nayon |
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Location : |
Kaba Aye Hillock |
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Recitation are also held township wise throughout the country by both monks and nuns. |
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Wicker Ball Ceremony
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June 19~Jul 18 |
1st waning day of Nayon |
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Location : |
Mahamyatmuni precinct,
Mandalay |
1-month festival
Traditional wicker ball
players from all over
the country participate
in the month-long
contest that has been
going on for over 70
years. This is the best
event to watch Myanmar
chin-lone game. |
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Seasonal Ceremonies
at no fixed dates
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Robe-offering (Kahtein) |
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Usually held between the
full moon days of
Thadingyut and Tazunmon. |
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Noviciation |
Held when farmers wrap up harvest and children end their academic year.
Usually falls in Feb, Mar, and Apr. |
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Wedding |
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Myanmar shouldn’t have weddings during the 3 month long Buddhist lent. It is considered inauspicious to wed during this period. |
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Pa-htann Chanting |
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Usually held between the
full moon day of
Tazaungmone and eve of
water festival. There is
a belief that the Pa-htann
philosophy will
disappear in the future
and that, by chanting
it, its longevity will
be enhanced and its
great powers toward off
misfortune will be
promoted. |
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July
'08
Guardian Spirit Ceremony
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July 15 : |
First Tuesday and before the full moon day of Waso |
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Location : |
Sittwe, Rakhine State |
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Women of Sittwe annually
gather at the cliff where
they believe the Guardian
Spirit dwells. They stick
yellow papers onto the
boulder with banana paste. |
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Shinbin-Sargyo
Ceremony
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16~17 July,
14~15 Oct : |
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Location : |
Sa-le, Magwe Division |
2 days ceremony
The pagoda is famous for
Buddhist paintings and
carvings. Another
ceremony is held on full
moon day of Thadingyut.
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Buddhist Lent
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July 17 : |
Full moon day of Waso |
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Location : |
Myanmar |
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3 month Buddhist Lent.
Lay people give new
robes to monks,
marriages do not take
place and it is not a
good time to move house. |
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Waso festival or
Dhammasetkya Day
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July 17 : |
Full moon day of Waso |
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Location : |
Myanmar |
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Fish-feeding
Festival
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17 July~14 Oct : |
Pwint Phyu, Magwe |
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Location : |
3 month long festival. |
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Held on the bank of Mone
canal which teems with
large catfish. The fish
are fed throughout
Buddhist Lent, which
many locals believe is
the only time the fish
appear. |
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Flower-picking
Ceremony
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July 18 : |
1st Waning day of Waso |
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Location : |
Inlay and elsewhere |
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Young men and women
cruise about in
motorboats on Inlay Lake
to pick water lilies.
Similar events are seen
throughout the country. |
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August
'08
Thread-tying
Ceremony
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August 2 : |
1st Waxing day of
Wagaung |
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Location : |
Pha-an, Kayin State |
15-day ceremony
Members of all Kayin
clans meet, sing, dance,
pray and tie cotton
threads around their
wrists to ward off evil
and any possible danger.
Date varies from place
to place. |
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Shwe-Kyun-Bin
Ceremony
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August 2
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1st waxing day of
Wagaung |
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Location : |
Mingun, Mandalay |
3-day ceremony ending
Aug 14 Native marine
vessels, big and small
gather to pay homage to
the Nats whilst plying
around on the
Ayeyarwaddy. Spirit
dances included.
1st day –
attending a Nat audience
2nd day – having
a royal bath
3rd day – cutting
down Htein trees |
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Pottery Hiding Day
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August 9 : |
8th Waxing day of Wagaung |
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Location : |
Myauk-pyin, Mandalay |
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Pottery sellers tease on
another by keeping other's
pottery hidden while staying
overnight on their way to
Taung-byone spiritual event.
Hidden pottery is later
returned. |
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Taung-byone Ceremony
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9 ~ 16 August : |
full moon day of Wagaung |
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Location : |
Taungbyone, 30km north
of Mandalay |
6-day ceremony
Held for Worshipping two
Taungbyone spiritual
figures. Major gathering
sport for spiritual
mediums. Spirit dances
are rampant. A noisy 7
day festival to keep the
Nats which is put on to
keep the Nats (spirits)
happy.
10th Waxing day –
attending a Nat audience
11th Waxing day – having
a Nat audience
12th Waxing day –
ascending the throne
13th Waxing day -
presenting rosast rabbit
15th Waxing day –
cutting down Htein
trees. |
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Gold pot Burrying
day
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August 16 : |
Full moon day of Wagaung |
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Location : |
Ye Mon State |
Offertories are put
inside a container
painted in gold.
Which is then taken to
nearby monastery and
offered to the residing
monks. It is believed to
be an investment for a
better next life. |
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Yadanagu Ceremony
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17 ~ 23 August : |
waning day of Wagaung |
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Location : |
Yadana Cave Nats
Festival (Amarapura,
Mandalay) |
5-day ceremony ending
Known as Mother
Taungbyone festival.
Most enjoyable because
of the rowing boat trip
to the site. Spirit
dances are rampant.
10th Waning day –
attending a Nat audience
11th Waning day – having
a royal bath
12th Waning day –
ascending the throne
13th Waning day –
daughter of Mahagiri
reels on the ground in
grief.
14th Waning day –
cutting down Htein
trees. |
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September
'08
Rice Donating Ceremony
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September 13-14: |
14th and 15th waxing days of
Tawthalin |
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Location : |
Padamya pagoda, Sagaing |
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Sacks of white rice donated
from around the country are
given away in large volume.
Nuns are presented on the
14th Waxing day and monks on
full moon day. Children play
of stone apples, 3 days
before the ceremony is also
a growing interest. |
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Tooth Relic
Procession
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September 14 : |
Full moon day of
Tawthalin |
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Location : |
Paungde |
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The Tooth Relic, mounted
on an elephant, is taken
round the town on full
moon day. During 3 days
of festivities it is put
on display for
worshippers. After the
ceremony, the relic is
kept inside a heavily
guarded place. |
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Boe-Min-Gaung
Memorial Day
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September 16 : |
2nd waning day of
Tawthalin |
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Location : |
Boe-Min-Gaung shrine,
Popa |
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Boe-Min-Gaung is
remembered for his
higher attainment in
meditation practices. He
was said to have found
the way out of the
worldly sufferings. |
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Oil Donating
Ceremony
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September 22: |
8th waning day of
Tawthalin |
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Location : |
Phar-aut, Mawlamyine |
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A traditional Mon
ceremony. Monks move
around villages to
receive oil donations at
the time of the first
harvest. The oil is used
for lamps. |
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Sutaung-Byi Ceremony
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September 24 : |
10th waning day of
Tawthalin |
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Location : |
Monywa, Sagaing Division |
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Over a thousand monks
are invited and
offertory bowls are
given away on a grand
scale. |
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Myo Daun Zedi
Festival
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September 24 : |
10th waning day of
Tawthalin |
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Location : |
Shwebo |
6 days festivals
A famous market fair for
the trading of native
tobacco, earthen wares,
hand-woven cotton
materials and other
products from upper
Myanmar. |
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Inle Phaung Daw Oo
Pagoda Festival
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30 September – 17 October
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01 waxing day of
Thadingyut |
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Location : |
Inle lake, Shan State |
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4 Buddha images out of
five are taken on the
decorated royal barge
towed by the boats rowed
by leg rowers (Inthas)
around the lake to
accept offerings from
the villagers. The most
highlight is boat race
competition held during
the last days of the
festival. |
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October
'08
Performing Arts
Competitions
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3 October
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4th waxing day of
Thadingyut |
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Location : |
Yangon |
Approx : 15 days of
competitions
Participants aged 5 and
above take part in
contests of singing,
dancing, composing and
playing traditional
musical instruments.
Both professional and
amateur classes of
competition are held in
Yangon. Date Subject to
change. |
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Sand Stupa Event
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4
October : |
5th waxing day of
Thadingyut |
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Location : |
Kyaikkhami and set-sei
beaches, Mon State |
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People from nearby
villages gather on the
sea-beach to build sand
stupas, enshrining paper
currency, which are
washed away by the waves
hours later. |
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Mya Tha Lon Festival
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2 October ~
21 October
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3rd waxing day of
Thadingyut |
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Location : |
Magwe |
20-day festival
Buddhist chanting, early
morning rice-offering to
1700 monks and the
lighting of 9000 candles
are major activities.
The scenic beauty of the
pagoda, situated on the
river bank, is dramatic.
Famous utensils made of
iron are sold a large
scale. |
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Kyauk-taw-gyi
Festival
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October 13 : |
14th waxing day of
Thadingyut |
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Location : |
Mandalay |
4 days festival
The image is cast out of
a single piece of
alabaster in 1864 under
the guidance of King
Mindon. |
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Floating Alms-bowl
Ceremony
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October 13 : |
14th waxing day of
Thadingyut |
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Location : |
Da-wei |
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Tradition of the natives
of Dawei. Bowls of alms,
stuffed with vegetarian
food are floated early
in the morning. There is
another similar event
next morning at
Bota-taung, Yangon. |
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Dummy Elephant
Festival
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October 13 : |
14th waxing day of
Thadingyut |
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Location : |
Kyauk-se |
2 day festival
From 14th waxing day
until the full-moon day,
numerous life-size dummy
elephants sing and dance
to the accompaniment of
music. |
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Buddha Procession
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October 13 : |
14th waxing day of
Thadingyut |
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Location : |
Pyinmana |
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3-day procession of
images of the 28
Enlightened Ones on the
town's streets. Similar
procession held in
several other places.
Date varies. |
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Pa-O Ceremony of the
Tree of Plenty
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October 13 : |
14th waxing day of
Thadingyut |
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Location : |
Taunggyi, Shan State |
5 day festival
In this purely Pa-O
ceremony, a mythical
tree of plenty is
erected with a seat atop
for Buddha. The tree is
decorated with fruits
and other offertories. |
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Thadingyut Festival
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October 14 : |
Full moon day of
Thadingyut |
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Location : |
throughout the country |
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To mark the day Lord
Buddha came down form
the Celestial Abode
after spending 3 months
of the Buddhist Lent
there. Buddha's return
is remembered and
commemorated throughout
the country with
colorful illuminations. |
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Za-yat-gyi Event
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October 14 : |
Full moon day of
Thadingyut |
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Location : |
Za-yat-gyi, Taunggoo
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Dances of Dummy oxen and
buffaloes and flying of
hot-air balloons are
major highlights. A
mixed cultural event of
Pa-O, Shan, Mon and
Kayin nationals. |
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Kyaik-hti-yo Season
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October 14 : |
Full moon day of
Thadingyut |
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Location : |
Kyaikhtiyo, Mon State |
Approx. 9 month long
season
The boulder standing on
the edge of a peak in
the highest mountain
range, is said to be
freely hanging over the
cliff. Famous as
pilgrimage and holiday
outing spot.
Comment : a night of
full moon day of
Thadingyut, people offer
9000 oil cups of lights,
9000 flowers to Buddha
on a square of, in front
of pagoda. i.e. golden
rock pagoda festival,
next very early morning,
they offer rice, sweets,
snacks, to Buddha. |
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Tawa-dain-tha
Ceremony
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October 14 : |
Full moon day of
Thadingyut |
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Location : |
Pathein |
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The Buddha image is
symbolically pulled down
a decorated stairway
using cables to mark the
day Lord Buddha returned
from the Celestial
Abode. |
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Ahbidama Day
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October 14 : |
Full moon day of
Thadingyut |
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Location : |
Myanmar |
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Thanahka-dabbing
Event
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October 14 : |
Full moon day of
Thadingyut |
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Location : |
Saw, Magwe |
During the day, young
men dab girls on the
cheek with a cloth
soaked in Thanakha water
and vice versa, on their
way to pagodas and
monasteries.
Remark : it's very
funny. All pilgrims are
happy with funny faces. |
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Shaking Pagoda
Festival
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October 14 : |
Full moon day of
Thadingyut |
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Location : |
Kyauk-pa-daung |
3 days festival
Famous for the annual
shaking of the upper
part of the pagoda – a
real architectural
wonder. |
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Shwekyin Light
Floating Festival
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October 15 : |
1st waning day of
Thadingyut |
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Location : |
Shwekyin, Bago |
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Dances by day and, on
the night of the 1st
waning day of Thadingyut,
light floats dedicated
to Shin Upagutta are put
onto Shwekyin canal. |
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Ramayana Festival
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October 15 : |
1st waning day of
Thadingyut |
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Location : |
Pya-pon |
9 day festival
Ramayana is performed
for 9 consecutive days.
Ye-gyaw Ramayana in
Yangon is similar to
Pya-pon Ramayana, but
Yangon Ramayana is only
staged when the first
wild orchids bloom.
Other Ramayana dramas
performed by amateurs at
Yodayagon in Pathein and
at Rakhaing, Mandalay
are said to be inferior
to Pya-pon and Ye-gyaw
troupes. |
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Su-taung Byi Pagoda
Festival
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October 15 : |
1st waning day of
Thadingyut |
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Location : |
Monywa, Sagaing |
14 day festival
The best Myanmar
puppeteers perform
throughout the festival.
On the eve of the
festival, traditional
sweets and snacks are
given in charity by each
household. |
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Shin-bo-mae Ceremony
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October 17 : |
3rd waning day of
Thadingyut |
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Location : |
Mandalay |
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The significance is that
the pagoda was donated
by Queen Shin-bo-mae,
which became queen at
the age of 8. |
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Pendant Socks
Festival
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October 18 : |
4th waning day of
Thadingyut |
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Location : |
Chauk |
3 day festival
Groups of maidens bring
long, decorated pendant
socks to display in
competition to the
accompaniment of music.
The pendant socks are
later flown on high
poles next to the
pagoda. |
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Chinese Floats
Festival
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October 19 : |
5th waning day of
Thadingyut |
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Location : |
Sin-o-dan, Yangon |
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Sin-o-dan Chinese temple
sponsor the floating
ceremony, dedicated to
Shin Upagutta on Yangon
river. |
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Dipawali
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Date : |
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Location : |
Pansodan and Bo Aung
Kyaw temples, Yangon |
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Hindus pay homage to
Mother Leksmi |
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November
'08
Shwe-zi-gon Pagoda
Festival
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5 ~ 17 November: |
8th waxing day of Tazaunmon |
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Location : |
Nyaung U |
23 day festival
Candle lights and fireworks
are carried in procession
before offering to the
pagoda. |
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Balloon Flying
Festival
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12November
~
18 November
: |
Full Moon day of
Tazaungmon |
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Location : |
Taunggyi, Shan State |
6 day festival
Typical Pa-O festival,
Hot air balloons are
released day and night,
competing over their
beauty and the altitude
they gain, Day-time
flying is meant for
competition of animal
figures and night time
is for beautiful
fireworks.
Remark : it's very
interesting. Before they
released balloons in day
time, they carried
theirs creations and
walked around in town,
with crowded, in queue.
Shan traditional dances
troops. Very famous in
Myanmar. Carrying not
only hot air balloons,
but also flowers, many
things for monasteries
to offer. |
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Than-boddhe Pagoda
Ceremony
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November 10 : |
13th waxing day of
Tazaunmon |
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Location : |
Monywa |
3 day festival
The pagoda is famous for
its late Myanmar era
sculpture. |
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Myo-nam Festival
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November 10 : |
13th waxing day of
Tazaunmon |
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Location : |
Loikaw, Kaya State |
3 day festival
18 feet long burning
sticks made of bamboo
and pinewood are used in
a graceful burning
competition. |
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Robe-weaving
Festival
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November 11 : |
14th waxing day of
Tazaunmon |
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Location : |
Shewdagon, Botataung,
Kyaikkasan, and
elsewhere |
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On the 14th waxing day
of Tazaumon, groups of
young women take part in
competitions held on the
platforms of the
pagodas. The robe is to
be finished flawlessly
overnight and offered at
dawn to the images
around the pagodas. |
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Kut-theinna-yon
Festival
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November 11 : |
14th waxing day of
Tazanumon |
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Location : |
Pathein |
3 day festival
Re-enactment of
conversion back to
mainstream Buddhism by
deviant sects. Dummy
buffalo daces included. |
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Astrologers'
Ceremony
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November 11 : |
14th waxing day of
Tazaunmon |
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Location : |
Shwebonpwint Pagoda,
Yangon |
|
Ekantha-byakarana
society of astrologers
pay homage to society
elders. Free
astrological predictions
for the night. |
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Pho-win-taung
Ceremony
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11 ~ 12 November : |
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Location : |
Pho-win-taung, Monywa |
3 day festival
The one and only market
where leaves, roots,
fruits, barks thorns,
tubers, stems of any
herbal value from the
western wildness of
Chindwin River are sold
on a large scale. Famous
bronze utensils are
articles for religious
activities are largely
sold. |
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Flower Tossing
Ceremony
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November 11 : |
14th waxing day of
Tazaunmon |
|
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Location : |
Mahamuni precinct,
Mandalay |
One day ceremony
People toss water-lilies
at the image of Buddha
while making a wish. |
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| |
13th Street Light
Event
|
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November 11 : |
14th waxing day of
Tazaunmon |
|
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Location : |
13th street, Yangon |
3 day festival
Lanterns with cartoons
are displayed along the
street. Best cartoonist
is chosen and awarded. |
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| |
Tazaung daing
Festival of Lights
|
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November 12 : |
full moon day of
Tazaunmon |
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Location : |
throughout the country |
|
Having fine weather and
clear sky and having the
first crop harvested,
Myanmar celebrate the
night with various kinds
of illuminations. All
night speed weaving
competitions take place
also (weaving robes for
monks) – a big one is at
the Shwedagon pagoda in
Yangon. |
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Hot Air Balloon
Festival
|
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November 12 : |
full moon day of
Tazaunmon |
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Location : |
Taunggyi |
|
Part of the Tazaungdaing
festival. |
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| |
Parade of Lights
|
|
|
November 12 : |
full moon day of
Tazaunmoon |
|
|
Location : |
Taunggyi |
|
The people of Taunggyi
and its environs march
through the town with
decorated floats and
lighted candles on their
way to Sulamani pagoda
at the edge of town. |
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| |
Candle Light Event
|
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November 12 : |
full moon day of
Tazaunmon |
|
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Location : |
Ko-dat-gyi, Yangon |
|
On full moon day, 9999
candles are
ceremoniously lit. At
midnight visitors are
served with mixed salad
of Maezali buds,
believed to possess
powerful, magical and
medicinal properties if
eaten at this time. |
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Fire Stick Festival
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November 12 : |
full moon day of
Tazaunmon |
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Location : |
Kalaw, Shan State |
|
Long poles stuffed with
fireworks are
ceremoniously carried to
a pagoda on the outskirt
of the town. They are
planted near the pagoda
and set off to burn for
the whole night. |
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Hindu Sacred Bathing
|
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November 12 : |
full moon day of
Tazaunmon |
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Location : |
Pyay |
|
Hindus from all over
Myanmar come and observe
the day, as they do in
the Ganges in India. |
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| |
Kaung-hmu-daw Pagoda
Festival
|
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November 12 : |
full moon day of
Tazaunmon |
|
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Location : |
Sagaing |
6 days festival
The best spot to watch
Myanmar puppet as at
Sutaungbyi pagoda
festival in Monywa.
Pilgrimage and holiday
outings on country
oxcarts can be seen. |
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National Day
|
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November 22 : |
10th waning day of
Tazaunmon |
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Location : |
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It is to commemorate the
day in 1920 when
students of Yangon
College and Judson
College boycotted the
University Act made by
the British colonialist. |
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Writers' Day
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November 28 : |
1st waxing day of Nadaw |
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|
Location : |
throughout the country |
|
Famous writers are
invited by various
associations to give
lectures on Myanmar
literature and poetry.
The day is extended
throughout the season. |
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| |
Ni-gyaw-da festival
|
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November 28 : |
1st waxing day of Nadaw |
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Location : |
Pathein |
|
Interesting procession
includes demonstrations
of the miraculous powers
of Lord Buddha, robbing
of a Shan merchant
caravan etc. |
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| |
War-going Ceremony
|
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November 28 : |
1st waxing day of Nadaw |
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Location : |
Taungbyone, Mandalay |
|
It was originally meant
to commemorate
Anawrahta's expedition
to Yunan in China.
Today, the ceremony is
heavily influenced by
spirit mediums. Low-key
spirit dances. |
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|
December
'08
The Spectacled Image
Festival
|
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|
December 5 : |
8th waxing day of Nadaw |
|
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Location : |
Shwedaung, Pyay |
8 days festival
This is the only image that
puts on glasses offered by a
certain donor in colonial
time. |
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| |
Sandaw-shin Pagoda
Festival
|
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December 7 : |
10th waxing day of Nadaw |
|
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Location : |
West Pha-yon-ga island,
Rakhine State |
6 day festival
The pagoda is dedicated
to a much noted Rakhine
queen Saw Me-kyi.
According to the legend,
any form that represents
a tiger and an orchid
cannot be taken onto the
pagoda precinct. |
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| |
Zaygalay Ceremony
|
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December 24 : |
12th waning day of Nadaw |
|
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Location : |
Kyee-myin-daing, Yangon |
3 day festival
Spirit dances on earlier
days, followed by
Buddhist chanting. |
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| |
Kayin New Year
|
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|
December 27 : |
1st waxing day of Pyatho |
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Location : |
Pa-an and Arlain
Ngarsint in Yangon |
|
Speeches by Kayin elders
followed by group
dances. |
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| |
Tripitaka
Examinations
|
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December 28 : |
2nd waxing day of Pyatho |
|
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Location : |
Kabaraye Hillock, Yangon |
|
Recitation of the 3 sets
of Buddhist Scriptures
are held for 24 days
followed by written test
for 5 days. Around 150
monks annually sit for
the exam. The titles are
bestowed on the monks
who pass the exam. |
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Christmas
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December 25 |
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