KAHTEIN CEREMONIES

When the rains cease in October, begins the time of many religious ceremonies in Myanmar. One of such ceremonies is the KATHEIN CEREMONY( Offering of Holy Robes to the monks).

Lord Buddha had permitted the monks to accept new Holy Robes and change the old and soiled Robes, after many months of incessant rains. Lord Buddha allowed the devotees
to present the monks , not only with Holy Robes but also with other necessary victuals during the period of one month, from the fullmoon day of Thadingyut(October)to the fullmoon day of Tazaungmone(November). The devotees all over the country are busy celebrating this auspicious ceremonies at their own neighbourhood monasteries but none so colourful or joyful as the Kathein Ceremony in Taunggyi.

One the eve of the Fullmoon of Tazaungmone the whole countryside comes alive. Surrounding villages and quarters in town are scrambling to construct the most elaborate decorations(padethabin) where to hang and showcase their donations. Everyone is excited and everyone joins in.Girls are busy with discussions how to make themselves pretty but the boys are practising on their traditional musical instruments, the long ozi(drum) and the Shan cymbals. Many are also practising their Shan martial arts moves and accompany the parades.

At the signal everyone lifts the huge bamboo contraptions, hung with Holy Robes and many other necessary victuals for the monasteries and the parade starts winding its way around the town.Singing, dancing the procession winds its way around the town and ends at the main Congregation Hall in the centre of the town. Here the town's revered monks wait to give sermons and then lots are drawn for the donations: which monastery will receive which padethabin( the bamboo contraption hung with donated items).

Taunggyi Kahtein Procession is famous all over Myanmar. People from all over the country, as well as international tourists, gather annually here to witness this incredible show of piety and charity, typical of all Myanmar people, be they Shan or Pa O or Myanmar.

photo: Sonny Nyein(Swiftwinds)