If you have a chance to attend a festival during
your stay in Myanmar, don’t miss it! It is a worthwhile experience. We
will try to include it in your itinerary if there is any interesting
festival.
Myanmar is known as land of festivals. Every month based on the lunar
calendar there are important religious festivals, most of them of
Buddhist nature. They usually take into account the given facts of the
time of the year (e.g. the Water festival comes in the hottest time,
donation of rice-cake takes places after the harvesting time)
Those festivals are usually visited by rural people, some villagers
travel for days by oxcart and stay overnight for the festivals. People
wear their best clothes, there is a lot of activity in the pagodas and
usually many food stalls open.
The
most important festival is the Water festival during middle of April
(at the same time as the Water festival in Thailand), which lasts for
4 or 5 days. During those days, people pour each other water over the
shoulders (although the water cups today sometimes are replaced by
fire hoses) to wash away the bad things of the old year. “Mouk loun je
baw” is eaten, a cake made from rice.
The last day of the Water festival is the Myanmar New Year. On the New
Year’s Day, people go to the pagodas and monasteries to make offerings
to the monks. Animals are let free which is believed to bring the
people good luck and not to be held captive in their next live.
The elder people are respected by others washing their hair and
cutting their nails.
“Private” festivals are held, e.g. when boys or girls become monks or
nuns. Every boy usually will go during his childhood for up to 10 days
to the monastery, the novitiation (e.g. hair cutting and wearing monks
robe the first time) is an important event.
During the festival days, especially elder people will follow the 8
precepts (basic behaviour rules for Buddhists)
Some of the ethnic tribes in addition celebrate their New Year
Festivals at other times according to their customs.
The New Year based on the Gregorian calendar is not celebrated
widely.
In the past, puppet theatre was a part of most; sometimes daylong;
festivals. The habit of Puppet theatre unfortunately is not popular
anymore amongst Myanmar people. Therefore the only chance to see one
is on those occasions made for foreigners.
| Starting Date |
Events & Festivals in Year 2006 |
City |
| 06-28 January |
Ananda
Pagoda Festival
Ananda Pagoda festival will be held starting from
6 Jan to 28 Jan 2006. There are evening entertainments such as Zats: a
variety of dance, song, short and long plays, Anyeints: a performance of a
few hours in which number of jokers caricature current situations and or
person strung together by a traditional dancer, popular movies shown in open
air. It is also a popular sales fair where all kinds of goods, some of them
are locally produced are sold. The most interesting aspect of this festival
is the caravan of bullock carts in the pagoda
compound, camp under the shady trees. It is very crowded around the full moon day on 13 Jan 2006. |
Bagan |
| 04
January |
Independence Day
Celebrations arranged by the government at People's Park in Yangon and
across the whole country. Ceremonies are very early at 04:20 a.m. and can usually not be attended by the public. All government offices and
markets are closed. |
The whole country |
| 09-10 January |
Kachin
Manaw Festival (State Day Festival)
Kachin Manaw Festival in Myitkyina, Kachin State day is on 10 Jan 2006, the festival will be held one day ahead of Kachin State day.
But they celebrate once in 4th year or 10th year. Please check with us
whether celebrate or not. Kachin state. |
Kachin State |
| 14-15 January |
Naga New
Year festival
The New Year is celebrated from 14 to 15 January 2006. On the 14th, an opening ceremony is held in the morning and in
the evening there is traditional dance with bonfires. On New Year day they
have a competition of traditional sports, and gathering of sub-tribes of Naga,
once fierce worriers in their bright and exotic dresses, celebrate with rice
wine roasted meat and tribal dances performed with loud beating of drums. |
Chin
State |
| 12 January |
Kayah State
Day |
Kayah State |
| 03
February |
Feast of
Shan Harvest day |
Shan State |
| 07
February |
Shan State
Day |
Shan State |
| 05-12 February |
Mahamuni
Ceremony
5th Feb-11th Feb Waxing day, ceremony in which a number of monks chant
Buddhist scriptures non-stop.12th Feb (Burmese 8th Waxing day till full moon
day): the real festival days with evening entertainment such as Zats (a
variety of dance, song and short& long plays), Anyeints (a performance of a
few hours in which a number of "Jokers" (usually four) caricature current
situations and / or persons strung together by a traditional dancer) and
popular movies shown in open air. In the day time, there are many stalls
selling various kinds of Myanmar snacks displayed in continuous rows of long
tables.
On the 8th waxing day (5th Feb), there is a communal offering of food (dry
rations) and various domestic articles to monks from the 100 nearby
monasteries. |
Mandalay |
| 05-13 February |
Kyaik Khauk
Pagoda Festival
Kyaik Khauk Pagoda Festival will be held starting from 5 February to 13
February. Most of the pagoda festival has evening entertainments such as
Zats. Anyeints, some stage show and movies shown in the open air the whole
night for every day. Villagers nearby come to the festival by ox-carts,
which can be seen just before and on full moon day. |
Kyaik Khauk Pagoda (Syriam) |
| 12 February |
Union Day
Celebrations arranged by the government at People's Park in Yangon and
across the whole country. Mostly early morning. All offices and markets are
closed (the whole country) |
The whole country |
27 February -
13 March |
Maw-Tin
Pagoda Festival |
Ngapudaw, near Pathein |
27 February -
13 March |
Pakhan Ko
Gyi Kyaw Festival
Regional Nat Festival like Taung Byone and Yadanar Gu. (Shwe Gu Ni Village
between Pakokku and Mingyan) |
Shwe Gu Ni Village between Pakokku and Min-gyan |
27 February -
13 March |
Shwe Saryan
Pagoda Festival
45 minutes drive from Mandalay on the way to Pyin Oo Lwin (Maymyo) near
Hton Bo. You can also take a small boat on the Douhtawaddy River and visit
the pagodas nearby. Myanmar traditional toys, boxes, baskets and mats made
of dried toddy palm leaves are the best selling village products in this
festival. |
Shwe Saryan Village in Patheingyi Township near Mandalay |
| 06-13 March |
Indawgyi
Festival
Ca.160 km from Myitkyina. Approximately 5 hours drive to Indawgyi Lake.
This festival is held annually for ten days. One intriguing fact is that two
sandbanks are washed up by the waves before the festival begins so that
people can walk from the bank to the pagoda. People believe that one is for
human use and the other is a passage for the gods these two sandbanks
disappear into the lake shortly after the festival. |
Hopin, near Myitkyina |
| 07-13 March |
Zalun
Pyidawpyan Image Festival
|
Zalun, near Pathein |
| 08-13 March |
Baw-gyo Festival
Once a year, only during the festival days, the locked up "four Buddha
images" are bought out for display, worship and gilding with gold leaf. We
can see tea-growing Palaung tribes from the hills and jewellers from Kyauk
Me who try and sell their products there. Many kinds of gambling are allowed
during the festival days only. |
near Hsipaw |
| 02 March |
Peasant's
Day |
The whole country |
| 12-13 March |
Nyan Taw
Pagoda Festival (Shwe Myin Tin Pagoda)
Similar to most of the pagoda festivals with most of the ingredients as
in the Mahamuni Pagoda Festival. It is a famous pagoda festival in Pyin Oo
Lwin. In additions, we can observe several Shan and other ethnic groups who
come from the hills to sell their products. |
Pyin Oo Lwin (Maymyo) |
| 12-13 March |
Nay Win
Taung Pagoda Festival
Same as Nyan Taw Pagoda Festival. Traditional Shan festival. It takes
place in the northern part of Pyin Oo Lwin, about an hour's drive from the
downtown area. |
Pyin Oo Lwin (Maymyo) |
| 10-14 March |
Kakku
Pagoda Festival
On 13 March, alms offering is carried out by the native Pa-O people
dressed in their traditional black outfits. There is a festival market also. |
Kakku near Taunggyi |
| 10-14 March |
Pindaya
Cave Festival
It is held on 12 March to 14 March on full moon day 13 March in Pindaya
with offerings made by the native tribes such as Danu, Pa-O, Taung Yoe and
Palaung. Festivities include performances with roaming artisans and the
festival market. |
Pindaya |
| 13 March |
Tabaung
Full moon Day
Ceremonies are held at Pagodas all over the country. |
The whole country |
| 27 March |
Armed Forces Day
|
The whole country |
| 5-17 April |
Shwemawdaw
Pagoda Festival
Same with the other pagoda festival. There are evening entertainment
such as Zats, Anyeints, stage show and also a popular sales fair where all
kinds of goods, most of them are clothes, toys and kitchen supplies. (not
expensive one) |
Bago |
| 13-16 April |
Water
Festival
Myanmar people celebrate the famous water festival called "Thingyan". One
cannot avoid of getting very wet because every one throws water at
everybody. People drive through the city in open cars and there are stages
along the street where people throw water. During this time, most
restaurants, shops, markets, museums etc. are closed. |
The whole country |
| 17 April |
Myanmar New
Year
This is the start of the new year and the end of the Water Festival. The
whole country is very quiet and everything is closed. |
The whole country |
| 21-22 April |
Sand Stupa
festival
In three different Mandalay quarters stupas are built with sand within l
night. Sand stupas are built up with five segments gradually converging to
the top. Each layer of white sand is supported by bamboo-mats and posts. The
celebration dates are not the same and depend on the different quarters
where the festival is held. |
Min Thar Su Quarter in Mandalay |
| 25 April |
Popa
Ceremony
Nat dances on Mt. Popa. Very crowded and difficult to get up the
mountain. |
Mt. Popa |
| 01 May |
May Day |
The whole country |
| 10-11 May |
Sand stupa
Festival - see 21 April |
Yahai Quarter + Pa Le Ngwe Yaung Quarter in Mandalay |
| 11 May |
Shwe Kyet
Yet Pagoda Festival |
Shwe Kyet Yet near Amarapura |
| 11 May |
Kason Full
moon Day
Pouring water to the sacred Bo-Tree. No other special entertainment.
Just only a small ceremony all over the country. Especially lots of crowds
at Shwekyetyet Pagoda. |
The whole country |
| 11 May |
Shitthaung
Pagoda Festival
This pagoda festival will be on 3rd Full Moon day as same as the others
pagoda festival but they have one exiting thing is they have traditional
boxing show. |
Mrauk Oo |
| 04-18 June |
Thihoshin
Pagoda Festival
This pagoda festival will be held from 4-18 June. There is festival
market and also evening entertainments such as Zats, Anyeints and Movies |
Pakkoku |
| 19 July |
Martyr's
Day
The day of the assassination of General Aung San and other ministers.
Early morning (private) memorial services at the monument near Shwedagon
Pagoda. |
The whole country |
| 8-9 July |
Shinbinsagyo Pagoda Ceremony
|
Sale (Salay) near Bagan |
| 09 July -
07 October |
Fish
Feeding Ceremony |
Pwinphyu near Magwe |
| 09 July |
Waso Full
moon Day
Start of Buddhist lent. Donation ceremonies of new robes and other
temporal requirements to the monks all over the country at major pagodas,
monasteries and even at homes. |
The whole country
|
| 26 July -
01 August |
Shwe Kyun
Pin Festival
Regional Nat festival. Can observe several kinds to ceramic wares from
Sagaing Kyaukmyaung are laid out at the bank of river for sale during the
festival. |
Mingun |
| 07-11 August |
Taung Byone
Festival
Traditional Nat Festival. The most famous in upper Myanmar, around 1 hour
drive from Mandalay. It lasts five days and every day has special programs.
Festival where especially youngsters are merry and enjoy drinking and where
people of all ages can join in the Nat dance. Ceremonies are mostly at night
and it is very hard to get into the village. |
Mataya town near Mandalay |
| 19-25
August |
Yadanar Gu
Festival
Traditional Nat festival on the Mandalay - Sagaing road, around 30 min.
drive from Mandalay. We can take a small sampan along the lake up to the Nat
Shrine hall. |
Amarapura |
22 September -
09 October |
Phaung Daw
Oo Pagoda Festival
The biggest occasion of the Inle Lake. The images of the Buddha from
Phaung Daw Oo are placed on a decorated royal barge and taken around the
lake, stopping at villages for people to pay homage. The festival is full of
pageantry and colorful, and there are fun fairs, music, dances and boat
races. Since this festival lasts very long, please check with us for exact
dates and events. |
Inle (Inlay) Lake |
| 01-06 October |
Kyauktawgyi
Pagoda Festival
It's situated at the foot of Mandalay Hill. It is considered popular
sales fair where all kinds of goods (some of them locally produced) are
sold. Next to that is the usual organization of events similar to other
Pagoda Festivals. |
Mandalay |
| 16 September -06 October |
Myathalon
Pagoda Festival |
Magwe |
| 05-06 October |
Elephant
Dance Festival
Yearly cultural highlight of Kyaukse. The whole town competes, not only
for the best "elephant dance"-performance, but at the same time for the
nicest-decorated "elephant". For the dance itself: two men get inside at
life-size hollowed-out papier-mache' elephant figure and imitate the
movements of a real elephant. Usually there is a 'lead'-man who coordinates
the movements of the dancers, assisted by a small number of musicians.
The festival is celebrated on the day before full moon day of Tadingyut. As
the day progresses, it is getting more and more crowded because people
nearby villages and as far away as Mandalay come to Kyaukse and join in the
festivities. |
Kyaukse, south of Mandalay |
| 04-06 October |
Tadingyut
Festival
End of Buddhist lent. And also the festival of lights. Pagodas, houses
and streets are brilliantly illuminated. It is not only a time of joy but
also thanksgiving and paying homage to teachers, parents and elders. |
The whole country |
| 06
October |
Tadingyut
full moon Day |
The whole country
|
| 06 October |
Light floating Festival
Lit candles light on paper boat and let them float onto the river |
Shwekyin |
28 October -
19 November |
Shwezigon
Festival
Shwezigon Festival will be held starting from 31 October to 21 November.
There are evening entertainments such as Zats (a variety of dances, songs,
short and long plays), Anyeints (a performance of a few hours in which a
number of "jokers" caricature current situations and or person strung
together by a traditional dancer, popular movies shown in open air. On full
moon day (4 November), there is a communal offering of food and various
domestic articles to the monks from the nearby monasteries (ca. 600) lined up
as in usual offerings. |
Bagan |
| 31October -04 November |
Thanbodday
Pagoda Ceremony
Like other pagoda festival with the usual entertainment provided.
Myanmar thanaka (sandal wood) and woven textiles (cotton blankets and
longgyis mainly) can be bought at the various stalls around the pagoda area. |
Monywa |
| 31October -04 November |
Po Win
Daung Festival
Like other pagoda festival with the usual entertainment provided.
Myanmar thanaka, sandalwood and woven textiles (cotton blankets and longgyis
mainly) can be bought at the various stalls around the pagoda area. |
Monywa |
| 31October -04 November |
Hot-air
Balloon Festival
Taunggyi Hot-air balloons festival will be held from 4th to 7th November
and can watch the various competitions of hot-air balloons. At day-time, see
the competitions of decorated hot-air balloons in different shapes and forms
of animals such as elephants, horse, cattle, pig mythical Hintha bird and
hen etc. Also see the fireworks and firecrackers of hot air-balloon at night
time. |
Taunggyi |
| 03
November |
Robe
Weaving Contest
The robe weaving ceremony is held on the eve of the day before full moon
day in one night. This is a competition for the weaving skills between teams
of women to complete special saffron-colored robes, called "Ma Tho Thin Gan"
from the evening onwards at dawn. It is still done in the traditional way
and lots of people enjoy watching the demonstrations. At dawn, the robes are
offered to the great image of Lord Buddha and followed by the prize giving
ceremony for the winners. |
Big Cities |
| 03-04 November |
Shin Mar Le
pagoda Festival
Celebrated at the time of the Tazaung Daing Festival. People throw with
lotus flowers to the top of the stupa, located at the North entrance of the
Mahamuni Pagoda, as homage to the Lord Buddha. |
Thazi |
| 04
November |
Tazaung
Daing Full moon Festival
Many locals of different status offer yellow robes & other items such as
slippers, umbrellas, alms bowls and other domestic articles to the monks.
This offering ceremony is commonly called "Kathein" and every local hope -
at least once in his /her life - to participate in this event. Especially
Sagaing attracts quite some crowds, as it is known as the Buddhist place of
retreat per excellence in the country with a concentration of monasteries,
nunneries and pagodas in that area. Many people (even from Mandalay) go and
spend the whole night (proceeding full moon day) in Sagaing. |
Sagaing. |
| 03-06 November |
Kaunghmudaw
Pagoda Festival
The most interesting aspect of this festival is the caravan of
bullock-carts in the pagoda compound. Some of the carts carry their village
products, such as hand-woven cotton clothes and cane mats, to sell them
there. They like to camp under the shade of the trees. |
Sagaing |
| 14 November |
National
Day |
The whole country |
27 November
04 December |
Shwemyetmhan (Golden Spectacles) Pagoda Festival
This pagoda festival is as same as the others pagoda festival. But one
interesting thing is during the British time; Mrs. Hurtno wife of the
commissioner was relieved from her eye disease after she offered a pair of
glasses to the Buddha. Local people who lives around this area they believe
that whoever have a problem with eyes they make novena to this pagoda. |
Shwetaung
Near Pyay (Prome) |
| 19 December |
Kayin New
Year |
The whole country |
| 25 December |
Christmas
Day |
The whole day |
