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| Festival IN Myanmar ## Pyathou (Pyatho) :
January
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Rice Harvest, Sports and Street Games |
Pyatho is completely free from rains. Just sunny days,
and cool, dew-drenched nights. The festive season, ushered in by Thadingyut
(October) the end of lenten austerities, monsoon and hard grinding work in the
fields is in full swing. Most of the pagoda festivals are celebrated during the
month.
This means long winding rows of stalls wherein
products of various localities are displayed for sale: glazed earthen wares,
boxes, baskets made of cane, bamboo or palm fronds, hand-woven cotton pieces in
bright colours; all the things attractive, useful and decorative. It is a good
time to shop for cotton wool fillings for pillows, cushions and mattresses.
These stalls shift from one festival to another and
they are part of the pagoda festivals as are the merry-go-rounds, Ferris wheels
and musical shows.
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In rural areas; tradespeople move from place to place in bullock carts or
boats. For them it is a time for clan gatherings; friends and relatives meet on
the festival grounds in happy reunion.
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Such is the ingenuity of the people that they go on
pleasure trips to places, make good business, meet people, and gain merit for
the hereafter by paying respects to elderly relatives and making offerings for
the repair and upkeep of the pagodas.
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In the days of the Myanmar kings, this month is the
time for military displays. The Four Elements of War, namely, chariots,
infantry, cavalry and unit of war elephants were turned out in full colour and
glory. Horse racing, polo matches, war dances featuring swords, spears and
shields were attended by boisterous music.
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One of the thrilling events was the shield dance with
the music of the brass gongs in attendance. Members of the gong regiment, as
the military music troupe was called, were virile, fleet footed and full of the
joy of life. Their war-like spirit was tempered with love of nature, that moved
them to sing rapturously of the idyllic surroundings, the golden pagoda on the
hill, the meandering rivers and flowing woodlands.
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Here is the shield dance song written in 1343 by King
Ngarsi Shin Kyaw-swa,who led the dance himself: We belong to the
good-regiment,
Are you true sons of valiant fathers?
True, true.
We see a pagoda at hand,
Is it the Buddha of the Holy hill?
Reclining Buddha.
The Thindwe canal floods and flows,
Is it a river, a roaring river?
Roaring river.
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Even as the war cries and music of the gongs blended
with the roar of the rushing waters of Thindwe canal, men turned their eyes
towards the royal city, the many-towered Myinsine, that had defied the invading
forces: City walls are on all sides,
Are these the battlements? Are these the towers?
Battlements.
The palace floor is of strong timbers.
elephants tread on them?
Tread on them.
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Then the memory of the Tartar invasions of yesterday
and the valour of the bowmen who defended their homeland was honored in the
action packed lines. The Tartars came. Horde upon horde.
Horde upon horde.
Arrows rained, shower upon shower,
Shower upon shower.
Vultures filled the field. Month upon month.
Month upon month.
A multitude of cavalry, round and round.
They never won.
Lightning flashed, in the gathering gloom.
In the gloom.
The clouds were dark. Were they dark?
Very dark.
Rain followed the clouds. Did thunder roar?
Thunder roared
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It is interesting to note that most of the war
campaigns and military sports are found recorded in classical songs and poems.
One other spectacle in military parades was the unit of elephants which formed
the major strength of the armed forces. Royal princes were expected to master
the art of riding and combating on elephant's back. One of the most challenging
feats was how to manage a raging elephant.
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One of the poems describes a viva voce between a
prince and his instructor:
Instructor:
Strong and fierce, gallant and proud, the elephant defies you, my lord.
Supposing you break the goad while striking the beast. So, with only the broken
handle your stay, how would you manage the raging elephant?
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Prince:
The elephant defies me and I only with a wooden handle broken, I will with aim
straight and unerring, strike at the point between his eyes. Strike hard right
and left, until he turns round and round, his strength ebbing fast. This is how
I shall win.
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Instructor:
Suppose, even as you strike hard, you break the wooden shaft. Now, left only
with your bare hands, what will my lord do?
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Prince:
While on the back of a fierce raging elephant, I am left defenseless, without
weapons. With my bare hands, I can still win. I will, with one quick movement,
bend my body forward and thrust my fingers right into the eyes of the animal,
until he reels and staggers helpless and weak with giddiness. This is how I
shall win.
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Perhaps, this month is the time to visit old Myanmar
capitals like Mandalay or Pagan and browse over books of poems and songs, and
work up your imagination to visualize the military displays and martial sports
of the olden days.
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More Info:
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Religious
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12 Months' Festivals
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References
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Travel & Tour
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