Kyaukse readies for annual elephant dance festival

 

THE Shwethalyaungtaung Buddhist Temple will host the annual elephant dance festival on 16 October, according to U Aung Myo Thein, Chairman of the festival organizing leading committee.

“The Kyaukse elephant dance festival is bustling with people every year. We have established clear rules and regulations for all participating elephant dance groups to follow. At the opening ceremony, groups that have been performing for over 30 years will be honoured for their dedication. In addition, traditional prizes will be awarded to those groups that perform music and dance as they parade around the Kyaukse Myoma market three times on foot. As in previous years, there will be a traditional elephant dance competition, an elephant costume contest, and a children’s elephant dance competition,” explained U Aung Myo Thein.

The Kyaukse elephant dance festival dates back to the reign of King Anawrahta when the Buddha’s sacred tooth relic was transported on a white elephant to the site where a pagoda was built. — ASH/MKKS