“Beauty is meaningless until it is shared.”
― George Orwell, Burmese Days
If you want to be fully immersed in the tradition, culture, and history of Myanmar, the Festival Tour will give you access to the most sacred, traditional festivals of the Kachin State. These festivals include bright, colorful costumes, music unique to the Kachin, and a complex dance rich in history and symbolism. For more details about what you can expect in this amazing experience, read on.
The Kachin State lies in northern Myanmar with snow-capped mountains in the far north. Here, many ethnic tribes belong to the Kachin national race, but their colourful dresses and their dialects differ. However, they all share the tradition of the Manau Festival and the dances of our Kachin kinsfolk, and their traditional Manau Festivals are a blend dignity and delight. The men look warrior-like with their swords held in front and the women in their colourful and varied national costumes are captivating.
There are ten kinds of Manau festivals held in commemoration of some special event such as a successful harvest. But only five of these festivals are considered to be of great significance.
The 5 principal Manau festivals are:
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The Tawt Malan or Padan Manau Festival. This festival is held to ensure victory in battle. In ancient times, it was like a battle cry issued forth to recruit warriors to march on enemies.
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The Ju Manau. A festival to pray for health, protection from harm, for offspring to carry on family traditions and other religious occasions.
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The Kun Ran Manau is traditionally held to bless a family member who has decided to leave the fold and set up his own household and work his own land.
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The Sha Dip Hpawt Manau is held to exorcise any evil spirits that may be present in a new plot of land that is to be cultivated.
But the Hsu Rein Manau or Hsut Manau is the most important of the festivals. It is a grand festival to celebrate outstanding charitable and philanthropic acts by the "Duwagyi" or "Great Chieftains". Today the State together with wealthily Kachin people sponsor the Hsut Manau in honour of the endeavours made by the Kachin national races for the progress and development of the Kachin State. It is also said to be a festival to welcome new kinsmen and friends.