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Festivals in
Myanmar
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Myanmar
is a Land of Festivals: a festival for every month of the year.
Most festivals are cultural and religious. Majority are
nation-wide celebrated while a few are distinctly regional. The
dates of the festivals and special events are determined by the
Lunar Year. |
Sea Gypsy Festival (Salone Festival)
Salone
Festival will be held from 14th to 17th February at MakyoneGalet Village on Bocho Island
near Lampi Island with the following objectives.
(a) To develop and promote Myeik Archipelago as a Tour destination.
(b) To promote tourism in acquaintance with Salone and Myeik
Archipelago as one of the tourism attractions for International
Market.
(c) To realize the actual situation of peace & tranquility in
Myanmar.
To be more convenient and attractive for the International
visitors, Ministry of Hotels & Tourism in co-operation with local
authorities, relevant departments, local tour operators and travel
agents will organize this as a tour package.
Salones and Mergui Archipelago
Myeik (Mergui) Archipelago, located in southernmost part
of Myanmar (Burma), comprises over 800 beautiful islands. Due to its
virtual isolation, the islands and surrounding seas are alive with
an amazing diversity of flora and fauna.
The only human inhabitants in the area are sea gypsies,
namely Salone in Myanmar. They live on boats during dry season and
remain on land during rainy season. They still practice the same
fishing and boat building techniques used for generation.
Being affectionate to sea, much skilful in swimming and
diving, their ways of life and customs are so characteristic that
traditional festival will be launched intending to attract
international tourists as well as to operate marine eco-tourism
around the islands in Myeik Archipelago.
Sea Gypsies
Among Myeik Archipelago many interesting features is a
small village on the Bo Cho Island south of the Lampi Island.
Culturally and ethnically separate from the others, the Salone
exists in only a few isolated areas along the Myanmar Andaman Coast.
These seafaring people-often referred to as sea gypsies live a
spartan existence, shunning most of the trappings of modern society
in favor of time-honored traditions. A shy and reserved people, most
depend on the sea for their livelihood. Although fishing has always
been their main priority, selling seashells to tourists is
increasingly common.
If logistics allow (a fairly high tide is needed to bring
a dinghy ashore here), a visit to these villages offers a glimpse
into a unique culture. As you wander amid the huts and boats,
remember that you are a guest in someone else's home and be
respectful of your hosts' right to privacy. The villages may be
closed to visitors during the full moon in March, when the Salone
hold ceremonies involving ancestor worship.
Maw Tin Soon Pagoda Festival
 It
was learnt that famous “Maw Tin Soon” Pagoda festival which is
reachable only by waterways is accessible by motor cars in this
year. The high quality route which was paved near Sein Taung
could be used for the trip from Pathein to Maw Tin Soon within
one day time.
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