Narinjara News, 13 April 2023

The traditional Rakhine (Arakanese) Thingyan/Songkran festival kicks off today and the festivity willconclude on 16 April.

The sacred festival is celebrated on the last days of the year. Rakhine calendar year 1384 ends on 16April and 17 April is the first dayof the Rakhine new year.

According to the Rakhine Thingyan tradition, on 12 and 13 April, statues of Lord Buddha are bathed inwater along with offerings of flowersand candles.

Rakhine people have to bathe the Buddha images with water before playing with water.

In the water splashing game, pavilions are built and gallons of water are poured into boats and tanks fromwhere young men and women throw waterat each other.

This custom is different from other regions of Myanmar.

Currently, Rakhine State is peaceful as there is no fighting between the junta soldiers and Arakan Armymembers. Hence the Thingyan festivalis being celebrated throughout Rakhine State with fanfare.

The military council, while taking advantage of thesituation, issued instructions toorganise the festival in every town of Rakhine State and thus trying to mobilize the Rakhine people.

The AA is also celebrating theThingyan festival in its liberated areas.

Due to the Covid-19 and ongoing fighting in Rakhine State, the important festival was not organisedproperly for 3 to 4 years.

This year's Thingyan Festival was preceded by the tragic incident at Pazi Gyi village under Kanbalu townshipin Sagaing division where more than100 civilians, including children and women, were killed by the air attacks of government forces.

A 30-year-old resident of Sittwe, who did not want to be named,said, "This incidentwas very unfortunate. We sympathize with the victims. The Burmese army carried out similar killings in Rakhine too. Wecan't say they will not do thesame again. We want everybody to be carefulwhile participating in the festival.”

She added that it would not be possible for the people of Burma, including Rakhine, to be fully happywhen they prepare for the festivalsunder the rule of military dictators.