Joint New Year celebrations held

Joint New Year celebrations held

Culture 

Shan Literature and Culture groups in northern Shan State have for the third consecutive year had pooled in together to celebrate the traditional Shan new year that began on 5 December, according to an organizer from Hsipaw. 

"For this year, we chose Kyaukme (113 miles northeast of Mandalay)," said he, requesting his identity be withheld. "The celebrations were held at Wankha, a village at the western outskirts of the town, 15-17 December. It was participated by 50,000 people from all townships in the north, some as far as Muse (pronounced Muzay)." 

The first collective new year was celebrated in Hsenwi in 2000 followed by Hsipaw in 2001. 

The ceremony was presided over by Sai Fah, who came into prominence in the mid-70s with his daring and innovative literature campaigns and Dr. Sai Mawk Kham, President of the Shan State Literature and Culture Committee. Security was provided by the Shan State Peace Council, joint command center for the Shan State Army 'North' and Shan State National Army, both of which enjoy ceasefire agreement with Rangoon. 

The Shan new year was also observed by Shans in other townships. In Thailand, it was celebrated in Bangkok, Maehongson, Chiangmai, Wianghaeng, Fang and Therdthai. 

Outside Thailand and Burma, it was observed for the first time in the most unlikely place, New Delhi, where a few Shans from Burma and Ahom Shans in India reside. It was joined in by Maw Thiri, well-known author and president of Oxford Senior Secondary School; Mrs Phepya Gohain Govit (Tai Phake, Assam), Chow Pan (Tai Phake, Assam), Kyaw Aye (Tai leng), U Tha Noe (MP) and Saw Lewa (Karen), among others. 

A message on the occasion reads that around 80 million people in Asia speak variations of the Tai (Shan) language and that most civilizations along the six rivers: Chao Phraya, Mekong, Salween, Black, Red and Brahmaputra are associated with them.