THE Rakhine traditional Thingyan festival for the year 1386 ME will be celebrated in Sittway, the capital of Rakhine State, with traditional customs and vibrant festivities, according to U Hla Thein, a member of the Rakhine State Government and the Advocate General of Rakhine State.
The celebrations will include customary events such as the fragrant grinding festival, the sacred water-pouring ceremony for Buddha images, the paying respects to the elderly and the recitation of protective sutras for peace and well-being.
“The fragrant grinding festival, a significant Rakhine tradition, will be held at U Ottama Hall and will feature traditional Yein dance performances. Following this, the sacred water-pouring ceremony for Buddha images will take place at Atula Marazein Pagoda, and water-throwing festivities will commence. The walking Thingyan procession will start from the front of Khaing Thazin Hall and proceed along the main road. The paying respects to the elderly ceremony and the recitation of protective sutras will be held as per tradition on New Year’s Day. Like previous years, government ministries and departments will organize water-throwing pavilions, and choral dance performances will be presented,” said U Hla Thein.
Myanmar’s traditional Thingyan festival was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity during the 19th Session of the World Intangible Cultural Heritage Convention held in Paraguay in 2024. In recognition of this international acknowledgement, the Maha Thingyan festival will be celebrated nationwide with grand festivities including in Rakhine State as in previous years. — ASH/KZL
