The Burmese New Year And Myanmar Water Festival

There are two calendars in the custom of Burma. One is the Gregorian Calendar nowadays known as Roman Calendar and Burmese tradition Calendar locally known as Lunar Calendar. If you ask which is widely used among the two, I would answer both. Indeed both are used in relation to counting time and period in Burma.

However, in relation to office and job attendance the Roman calendar is used. But when it comes to religious carnivals the Lunar calendar is used. The tradition Lunar calendar cannot be simply rejected since it is directly related with religious observances. The lunar calendar is counted according to the moon. Therefore within 1 month in English calendar there are two months in Burmese Lunar calendar.

Now the Burmese New Year is marked and counted according to that Lunar calendar. Since the lunar calendar is read according to the Moon, the New Year date is also mobile. But it usually falls in mid-April. In Burmese month it is Tagu Month. It frequently falls during the Easter week.

This Burmese Year is also widely known as Thingyan Festival or Waterfest. The festival is celebrated with water as a symbol of the flow of time, washing away past misdeeds to provide spiritual renewal, and greeting the up-coming monsoon to bring a bountiful new beginning. Therefore whatever you may call it New Year or Thingyan Festival or Water festival, you make it right.

The New Year is celebrated for five days. Although the hidden meaning of the festival is a special day when everyone’s misdeeds are cleansed by the water, the carnival is simply and constantly called as “Thingyan”. No one even tries to greet each other “Happy New Year”; instead among the youngsters “Happy Thingyan” is more popular to greet each other.

The festival is celebrated with pouring water, performances, courtship, and general good cheer. The elders of the family and community are treated to special services. And also this used to be the only time when some of the social constraints are suspended enabling anyone to express their grievances and opinions publicly through skits and songs.

However the origin of Thingyan is not Buddhist but Hindu. The King of Brahma lost to the Thagya Min (Min means King in Burmese). Since the Brahma is so powerful, if the head is thrown into the sea, it will dry up, if thrown onto the land it would be scorched and if thrown up into the sky it would burst into flames, one princess Devi was appointed to carry the Brahma.The new year henceforth has come to signify the changing of hands of the Brahma's head. Probably the Burmese calling name for Thingyan Festival might come from “Thagya Min” the King that defeated Brahma.

The first day of Thingyan is called "a-kyo nei" (simply means Thingyan Eve). On this first day variety of religious activities begin. The Buddhist are expected to observe the Eight Precepts. By nightfall there real fun begins with music, dancing, and entertainment by comedians.

The next day is called "a kya nei" (Thingyan Arrives). It is the day when the Thagya Min landed on the earth. Traditionally, Thingyan involved sprinkling water intended to symbolize the “wash away sin” but in this modern days, nobody could follow the traditional way of celebration. Instead they build water stations on side of the streets and use generator with watering pipe which could even harm people.

The Third day is called “a kyat nei.” The fourth day is known as “a tet nei”. This is the day when the Thagya Min who came down to the earth returned to the heaven. On this particular day water pouring is allowed since 8 am to 8 pm in the evening. While during the previous three days, a person may request not to be poured with water if he/she does not want, but on this fourth day no one is exempted. Water is stationed in front of every house, no permission

New Year's Day

The fifth day is New Year’s Day. This is in Burmese “hnit san ta yet nei” meaning the first day of the year. Early in the morning they go the monastery and give homage and respect to gods. Even at home they will feed they aged parents as “Ku Thu Daw” in Burmese. Even though Burmese people also celebrate the Roman calendar, the local New Year is paid very high value. \

But the sad thing is that the modern way of celebrating Burmese New Year has become too commercialized. More than sentimental spirit of New Year most modern people celebrate New Year for fun and enjoyment.

It is also one of Tourist Attractions part of the country. During the festival hotel rates are increased so tourists who are wise used to book hotels and transportation in advance.