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January ▼
In January
Naga New Year Festival
The Nagas form a small but colorful national group among 100
national races of Myanmar. These people inhabit the mountain
regious that form the Myanmar - India border in the north -
west. Khamti, Lahe, Leshi and Htamanthi are the principal
towns of the Naga region.
They, the Nagas, earn their livelihood largely through
agriculture and livestock breeding, such as cultivation of
paddy, corn, soyabean, and other pulses, as well as
vegetables like garlic,onion, cauliflower and fruits such as
orange, damson and bananas. They also grow tea and coffee on
the hill slopes and breed pigs, goats, chickens and cattle.
Of the cattle bred, there is one special species known as "Nwa
Nauk" which is larger and beefier than the Myanmar cow of
the plains that is a cross between the cow and the buffalo.
There are also a few cottage industries like spinning and
weaving, pottery and black smithy.
Naga from outlying villages came to participate in the
festivities dressed in their colorful best. There were the
worrior-like youths with their shields, spears, and
headdresses framed with the curved horns of the wild boar
and adorned with fur and feathers.
At the New Year celebrations, endless cups of rice wine are
drunk, bison and wild boar meat roasted and eaten, tribal,
dances performed with loud beating of drums. Visitors are
welcomed, for they are curious about strangers although they
prefer to stay home. The visitors on their part see events
and people living in old ways not meant as entertainment for
the tourists but because it is a natural part of their life.
If strangers join in their celebrations, they are welcomed,
it is good to share the happiness.
In January
Kachin Manau Festival
Venue - Myitkyina, Kachin State
Contact: Manau Festival Organizing Committee
Ananda Pagoda Festival
Venue - Bagan in Mandalay Division
Shwe-set-taw Pagoda Festival (Minbu, Magway)
Venue - Minbu in Magway Division
Mahamuni Pagoda Festival
Venue - Mandalay, Mandalay Division
Naga New Year Festival
Venue - Leshi in Chin State
Galays are slaughtered to sacrifice followed by singing,
dancing and drinking alcoholic beverages the whole night by
a huge bonfire.
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