12 August
The traditional Kayin white thread tying festival was celebrated at Nyaungdon City Hall in Maubin District, Ayeyawady Region, yesterday morning.
Speaking at the ceremony, Regional Hluttaw representative for constituency 2, U Kyaw San, said this traditional festival which falls on the lunar month of Wagaung aims to preserve the culture and literature of the Kayin people. He said the white thread symbolizes remembrance for one’s parents and ancestors and is also a momentous occasion for Kayin people to reunite.
Next, Nant Khin Aye Oo of the Central Committee for holding the festival said it is necessary to elevate the status of Kayin literature and culture and they are working to include it in the second grade curriculum to achieve that goal.
Following this, the Deputy Director of the Department of Ethnic Literature and Culture, Daw Yi Yi Win, said they are working with the local ethnic affairs ministry to preserve the Kayin language and traditions and to revitalize their literature.
Similarly, the Deputy Director of the Department of Protecting Ethnic Rights, Daw San, said the law already allows ethnic groups to freely celebrate their rights.
Next, the secretary of the Nyaungdon Township Kayin Literature and Culture Committee, Saw Win Aung Si, explained the three types of white thread festival and the meaning behind the accessories involved in the celebration.
Afterwards, Kayin youths brought in the festival accessories and invited the Kayin elders who made kind wishes on the attendees and then started the festival.
Attending the festival were Pyithu Hluttaw representative U Ohn Lwin, Township administrator U Thwin Ko Ko Min, regional Hluttaw representatives Daw Ni Ni Moe and U Kyaw San, departmental heads, the chairman of the township Kayin literature and culture committee and its members, and Kayin ethnic citizens.—Wala Naing, Htet Wai Phyo (Nyaungdon)
(Translated by Zaw Htet Oo)
