The Burmese New Year Presented by Thida Aung

Structure of the talk  Background on Burma (Myanmar)  The Burmese calendar  Celebrations during the New Year period The Water Festival - leading to the New Year’s Day The New Year’s Day Feast

Burma (Myanmar)

The Burmese calendar  Used for religious purposes and traditional festivals  Consists of 12 lunar months (28 days each)  The current year is 1362  The New Year begins in April

The New Year Period  Known as “Thingyan” in Burmese  Coincides with the entry of the Sun into Aries  Celebration of the annual visit of “Thingyanmin” (the King of the Angels) to the Earth  Lasts for 4 days ( April 14 to 17 ) 14 April – Day of Arrival 17 April – Day of Departure – The New Year’s Day

The Water Festival  Celebrated by throwing water to each other  Purpose is to get rid of sins and misfortunes of the past year  Has become a fun event, popular with the younger generation

The Water Festival

 Temporary stages (called pandals) set up in streets For water throwing For displays of traditional dances, theatre and concerts  Parade cars visiting these stages around the town – very boisterous  Everybody gets drenched ! Except monks, the elderly, the infirmed and pregnant ladies

The New Year’s Day  A complete halt to the Water Festival  The theme of purification continues with the New Year’s Day Feast Washing hair in a specially prepared shampoo Bathing in scented water Putting on the newest and finest clothes

The New Year’s Day  People on their best behaviour Showing respect and giving presents to parents and elders Following the religious precepts Visiting pagodas and monasteries for worship Freeing captured fishes and birds

Summary  Purification ceremonies are performed during the Burmese New Year  The New Year begins on the 17 th of April  Celebrations start 3 days before  April 14 to 16 - The Water Festival  April 17 – The New Year’s Day Feast

Thank you for your attention.