ICH Courier

The Myanmar Traditional New Year Atā Thingyan Festival is an annual water festival celebrating the beginning of the Myanmar New Year, in which the entire Myanmar society, consisting of men and women, young and old, regardless of race and ethnicity, enjoy pouring water on one another.

Thingyan represents a symbolic cleansing by the water of the old year’s ‘dirt’, enabling a physical and mental ‘fresh start’ in the new year. In modern-day Myanmar, young people and institutions organize tours by car or on foot to enjoy the water- throwing. The earliest mentions of Thingyan, derived from Pali ‘Sankanta’ (transition), in epigraphy and historical records date back to Bagan Period (11th -13th century AD). The five- day festival most commonly starts on the 13th of April, when flowers and leaves symbolizing the seven days of the week are arranged in an earthenware vase, which is placed at the front of the house to welcome the New Year. On New Year’s Day, members of the Sangha are invited to each neighborhood to recite Paritta (protection from dangers).

The Myanmar Calendar Advisory Board makes the calculations to determine the date on which Thingyan falls each year for inclusion in calendars, and Brahmin pandits publish Thingyan forecasts for the year. The seasonal Padauk (PterocarpusMacrocarpus) blossoms, the designated national flower, also serve as a symbol of Thingyan.

Activities long associated with Thingyan include pouring water at pagodas on Buddha Images, sprinkling Thanakha and scented water on senior persons with Eugenia sprigs, providing them with manicures and pedicures, donating of food to all comers, observing Sabbath, joining meditation retreats, giving to charity, freeing animals, and engaging in merit- making activities. Water-throwing pandals, song and dance performances take place in communities while many people simply go around to enjoy the festivities. The entire festival period is a national long holiday, which enables many people to return to their native towns and villages, reunite with their extended families and pay homage to the elders. Communities, groups and individuals gather together to perform, make and enjoy Thingyan songs and Myanmar Traditional food.

During Thingyan, everyone, male or female, young or old, enjoy pouring water on one another individually or in groups. The national races of Myanmar also celebrate Thingyan festival in accordance with their traditions and customs. Local authorities, community elders and various organizations participate in the Thingyan festivities. In each Region and State, pandals are set up for Thingyan Dance and Then Chat (Satirical Anti-phonal Chant) Contests and decorated floats.

Nowadays, Myanmar Motion Picture Organization produces Thingyan-themed films, while Myanmar Music Association and Myanmar Theatre Association make and release Thingyan songs and dances, to raise awareness among the next generation to cherish and safeguard the traditions and customs relating to the Myanmar Traditional New Year Atā Thingyan Festival through the media and by inclusion in school curricula.

In mid-March, State and privately owned media start broadcasting songs, dances, dramas and documentaries on Thingyan as well as the Thingyan festivities of the national races. Ministry of Information broadcasts Thingyan films and documentaries on Thingyan songs and dances and publishes columns on Thingyan in daily newspapers in the run-up to the festival.

Region and State governments propagate the festival by taking the lead in organizing annual Thingyan festivities in line with traditions and customs. Department of Fine Arts and the National Universities of Arts and Culture play a role in safeguarding Thingyan songs and dances. The making of traditional Thingyan refreshments such as Thingyan rice, boiled rice balls and Myanmar traditional food is safeguarded and promoted through the publication of books and through media programs.

On 5th December 2024, ‘The Myanmar Traditional New Year Atā Thingyan Festival’ was listed in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO’s 19th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. By inscribing the element, it can raise awareness among the next generation to cherish and safeguard Thingyan traditions and customs in Myanmar. Furthermore, it can be provide more global recognition to Thingyan.