Project: Information guide for foreigners about

Myanmar Traditions

Regarding Myanmar traditions, I interview three people about

Tasaungdaing festival in Myanmar .The first person is my friend and the second
person is my brother and the last one is my neighbor.

History
This festival of Tasaungdaing is an auspicious time for offering of yellow
robes to the monks. The Buddha’s mother, reincarnated as a god in Tavatimsa,
perceived from her heavenly abode that her son would soon be discarding, the
royal robes and wearing a monk’s garments. She wanted to provide the yellow
robes of the monk and she had only a night’s time. But she had it woven in a
single night and offered to the Prince (Siddhata) by a celestial messenger. In
commemoration of this event weaving competitions of yellow robes are held all
over the country.

Firstly, I ask my friend what kind of festival is this. He explain me about

Tasaungdaing festival in Myanmar which shown above picture. It is one of the
religious festivals in Myanmar. This festival is celebrated on and around full
moon day of the month Tasaungmone all over the country and mainly falls in
November. And I ask another question “why is it celebrated in Myanmar?” He
tell me that Tasaungdaing festival is mainly celebrated to remark the offering
yellow robes to lord Buddha images at the pagodas and monks at the
monasteries. The traditional offering ceremony is commonly known as “kattein
thinghan” (robes) among the Myanmar Buddhist people. Besides, he tells me that
during this festival, homes, buildings, and streets are illuminated at night with
various kinds of lights. A robe weaving ceremony is held on the eve of the full
moon day of Tasuangdaing at famous pagodas throughout the country , such as
Shwedagon in Yangon , Mahar Myat Muni in Mandalay , Shwe Mawdaw in
Bago and Shwe Sigone in Bagan.

The second person whom I interview is my brother, he has full of

knowledge in Myanmar festival. He also explains me about this festival relating
with Myanmar traditional foods .According to the respective national group,
varieties of traditional foods are eaten during this festival. The famous verities
are – Khawpoke and soured fish rice are much known in the Shan State. Moke
hinkar and Moketie are mainly served in lower Myanmar .I also ask how people
feel when they celebrate this festival and what are the other events for
offering and experiences during Tasuangdaing festival .The Myanmar Buddhist
people feel and believe that they can receive fine adequate clothing in their next
future lives by offering robes to the Sons of Buddha , the monks , during
Tasaungdaing festival .And Myanmar Buddhist people also offer cash , alms-
bowls , umbrellas , slippers , clock , furniture , brooms and many other useful
and needful items for the monks of the various destinated monasteries . Every
family, school, offices and public organizations do these offerings during this
festival.

The third person whom I interview is my neighbor. I ask several questions

about this festival .Among this question, he explains me how has the festival
been changed and it has changed the past few years. During Tasaungdaing
festival in Taunggyi, hot air balloon festival is held on around the full-moon day
and it normally last for five days continuously day and night. This Tasaungdaing
hot air balloon festival is well-known among the whole Myanmar people. People
from many parts of the country gather in Taunggyi to celebrate the festival
warmly. Even the foreign tourists take part in the festival together with Myanmar
people. This festival is becoming more popular day by day and the celebration
has been changed better than the past in Myanmar. Nowadays, famous
performers and singers take part to do performances on the stage to serve the
people with music, songs and traditional dances.

Kumar Bastola level (3 )

American Center