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Thingyan is
probably the most celebrated, most joyous event in the
culture and custom of Myanmar people. From the poorest to
the richest in Myanmar, this is the greatest event for the
year. Every body, poor, rich, uneducated, educated, young
and old all participate and enjoy in this once a year event.
For every Burmese, this is the event not to be missed. Even
for those Burmese people in foreign countries, this is the
time for a celebration in the memory of their homeland and
their culture. Thingyan is indeed the event for every
Burmese, in Myanmar or outside.
Thingyan is actually not a true
traditional Burmese custom. It is an imported cultural
event, incorporated and extensively modified over several
hundred years to become essentially a true Burmese cultural
event. The origin of Thingyan can be traced back to India
where it is one of the events of Hindi culture. The culture
of Thingyan was brought into Burma by many Indian Brahmins
who came to Burma to serve in the courts of Burmese
kingdoms. As these Indian Brahmins held important positions
in the court of Burmese kings, their culture, tradition and
believes had great influence on the culture and tradition of
Burmese royal courts. Thingyan is one of their cultural
influences in the life of Burmese people.
The recorded Thingyan in the
history of Burma was in Bagan era in the 13th century.
Burmese historical accounts described the celebration of
Thingyan in the royal court of Bagan. In one event, the king
of Bagan, Nara Thiha Pathae ordered the ladies of
his royal court to throw water at one of his wives to soak.
Taking this as an act of humiliation, the wife took her
revenge by plotting assassination against the king. However,
the assassination plot was found out and the wife, together
with all her relatives, was executed by burning alive. This
is the earliest record of Thingyan in Burmese history
The background of Thingyan is
the celebration of the Burmese New Year (which actually is a
modification of Indian calendar). Burmese New Year falls
during the month of April. Every year, the Brahmins of The
Burmese Calendar Committee advised on the government to the
date of the Burmese New Year day. Thingyan is celebrated for
three days prior to the New Year day. However, in certain
years, Thingyan is celebrated for four days. The number of
days is calculated by the Brahmins of the Calendar
Committee.
Today, Thingyan is celebrated
all over Myanmar. Every city, town and village celebrates
Thingyan. This is the event for everyone. Rich and poor
alike become the same during Thingyan. This is the time
where all social and cultural barriers break down in
Myanmar. If you have been to Myanmar before and you already
have an idea of what Myanmar people are like, you will find
a different aspect of Myanmar life and Myanmar people. You
will see the most joyous, fun loving and wildest part of
Myanmar people during Thingyan.
During Thingyan, people throw
water at each other. People pour water from the cup, splash
water from a bucket, spray water using water guns or pipes.
In the past, people used to throw water in water balloons
which can be very painful. Fortunately, this is now
prohibited as it is quite painful and dangerous to the one
on the receiving end. Another way of spraying water that
used to be quite common was using water canons (strong water
canons like those used by firefighters!) and pressurized
water guns (the same one used by your car wash!). The former
one can knocked you out of your car while the latter one is
very painful and can cause serious abrasions on the skin.
These methods of playing with water are now banned by the
government.
Similar water festivals are
held throughout South East Asia during Thingyan. For
example, Thai Songkran is quite famous and well known among
foreigners. However, Myanmar Thingyan is quite unique among
all these water festivals. During Thingyan, all the offices,
supermarkets and departments stores are closed while many
shops and restaurants also close. Roads are totally blocked
by pick up trucks and jeeps full of people who go out to get
splashed and wet. Stages were constructed along main roads
and people throw water from these stages at these on trucks
and jeeps. Many people, including some girls, become drunk
and there are occasional fights break out among young
people. However, during Thingyan, most people restrain from
getting angry and out of control. Boys and girls tease each
other freely (which is not always permissible in normal
circumstances) and this they take it without any offence.
Every body get soak during this time and every body welcome
a splash of water during this hottest time of the year.
However, monks and pregnant women are exempted from this as
it is considered very rude to throw water at monks and
pregnant women.
After Thingyan is the Burmese
New Year Day. On The New Year Day, everything returns to
normal. Wild and mad people who occupied the streets of
cities and towns all across Myanmar totally disappeared,
replaced by clean, gentle and polite individuals clad in
traditional longyi heading to pagodas and monasteries. A
visitor might be quite amazed by this total change of
behavior in the people overnight. However, this is how
Thingyan changed behavior of ordinary Burmese citizens
during that joyous three days.
The below youtube video is a
semi-documentary about water festival that has been
celevbrated in Burma. |
