Myanmar Festivals
Festival of Lights (Thadingyut) (Countrywide)
Thadingyut is a seven-month of Burmese calendar
and the end of lent. Three days of lights festival,
namely the day before full moon, the full moon day
and the days after. Illuminations are there to
celebrate the anniversary of Buddha's return from
the celestial abode where He had spent the lent
teaching the celestials about His Law. Among the
gods was the one who was the mother of Buddha,
reborn there. It was on the full moon day of
Thadingyut month that Buddha descended to the abode
of humans. He and His disciples were attended by a
heavenly host of celestials who created a pathway of
star ladder. Buddhist on earth illuminated the homes
and streets to welcome Buddha and His disciples.
History of Thadingyut
Myanmar is rich in culture, and has developed its
own distinctive culture. Buddhism has great
influence on the daily lives of Myanmar people.
The Full Moon Day of Thadingyut is the Lighting
Festival of Myanmar. The festival is held at the end
of the lent on the festival day it as a custom. It
celebrates the descent of Buddha from heaven after
he preached the Abidhama (the most difficult of
Buddhist teaching) to his mother reborn in heaven.
Why do people light up?
When Lord Buddha descended from heaven after
preaching his reborn mother, people all over the
country light candles to welcome back. As years
passed by, it became a tradition and a festival. The
festival in a small town and villages are more
enjoyable than in cities. In small towns, there are
small earthen saucers filled with sesame oil where
pieces of cotton are used as wicks. People collect
donations for charity, decoration and entertainment
purposes. Roads and streets are full with amateur
dancing groups, music troupes, stalls and spectators
for free entertainment. On the festival day, groups
of young people and children can be seen walking
with candles and gifts in their hands to pay respect
elders. In Burmese we call Kadaw, actually it is
more than paying respects or doing obeisance. For
the Buddhist, the Buddha, His law, His Order of the
Sangha, Parents and Teachers are the first to be
reserved, next come those who are older and those to
whom we owe gratitude.
Myanmar traditional weddings
Marriages are usually tabooed during the Buddhist
lent, perhaps this customs is a bit conservative,
but weddings during the lent are really rare. It is
more fun to begin one's married life amidst
festivities. Thadingyut, therefore, is not only
replete with festivities, but also an auspicious
Myanma custom of remembering gratitude.
Paying Homage to elders
Younger people pay homage to elders during this
season. They ask for forgiveness if they have
committed any and in return, the elders give them
back love and forgiveness. |
