Hpa-an holds Kayin traditional white thread-tying festival

THE 47th Kayin tradi­tional white thread-tying festival was held at 9 am yesterday at Zwegabin Hall in Hpa-an.

The event was at­tended by Pyithu Hlut­taw Deputy Speaker and Myanmar Parliamentary Union member U Maung Maung Ohn, Kayin State Chief Minister U Saw My­int Oo, the Speaker of the State Hluttaw, the Chief Justice of the State High Court, state ministers, Hluttaw Representatives and local residents.

During the ceremo­ny, the chairperson ex­plained the significance of the Wagoung white thread-tying festival. Kayin State Chief Min­ister U Saw Myint Oo delivered well-wishes, after which Kayin youth representatives present­ed the history and origins of the tradition in Pwo Kayin, S’gaw Kayin and Myanmar.

The chief minister then presented K30 mil­lion to the patron of the event organizing commit­tee. In turn, the organiz­ing committee presented certificates of honour to donors who contributed to the successful organ­ization of the 47th cere­mony.

Following the formal programme, the Pyithu Hluttaw Deputy Speaker and officials joined Kay­in community elders and local residents in receiv­ing blessings through the traditional white-thread-tying festival conducted by elders.

The ritual involves seven symbolic items: bananas, sticky rice packets, rice balls, Wil­low-leaved justicia flower, white thread, pure water and sugarcane pieces. Each item carries a spe­cific symbolic meaning emphasizing unity and solidarity among the Kayin people. The festi­val preserves cherished cultural traditions and is widely observed through­out the month of Wagaung in various regions, allow­ing people from all ethnic communities in Myanmar to participate in the cele­brations. — MNA/TH