Shin Min Zan, Narinjara News, 25 April  2022

National Day of the Thet people will be officially observed on 1 May in Maungdaw township of Rakhine State.Thet ethnic community, which hasabout 3,000 people in Rakhine State, is going to celebrate it on the western border township for thefirst time.

Thet National Day celebration committee chairman Hla TunKyaw informed that it would be thefirst time where the Thet people organise such a public ceremony.

“This year the State government has extended necessary helpfor the ceremony. The governmenthas recognized the ThetNational literary and culturalbody officially. ThetNational Day will be observed atMa Kyi Gone village in Lay Mai ward of  Maungdaw,” he added.

The tribal members and concerned departments in Rakhine havealso been invited to participatein the ceremony, which will comprise several events including  public talks, traditional dancecompetitions, other sports, etc.The winners will also be awarded on the occasion.

Traditional ethnic items, costumes and ancient accessorieswill be showcased in the ceremony.

Thet community experts reveal that the ceremony inspires thepeople to maintain the traditionalvalues of farming and mountain cultivation.

Ma Khine Kyaw Yee, a young woman from Aung Thiri villageunder Mrauk-U township expressedher happiness that the Thet people are comingtogether during the observation.

"First of all, I am glad that our people have showntheir dignified existence on theplanet. I hope the festival will be an annual affair. I will  do whatever possible for my community,” said the young woman.

Thet people are normally famers and mountain cultivators. They are primarily settled in Maungdaw locality. Some families are also living inthe townships of  Mrauk-U,  Buthidaung, Rathidaung, Ponna Kyun, Ann,  Kyauk Pyu and Sittwe.

They are one of the early settlers in Myanmar along with Pyuand Kayan communities.  AcrossMyanmar the Thet community has about 6,000population, while some families are living in  neighbouringBangladesh too.