|
Our Tour
Programs |
|
|
|
Our
Services |
|
|
|
General
Information |
|
|
|
FESTIVALS TOUR
INVITATION TO THE KACHIN FAMILY REUNION GRAND MANAW
FESTIVAL
 The Kachin State lies in northern Myanmar with
snow-capped mountains in the far north. It is also where the
confluence of the Maykha and Malikha rivers gives rise to the mighty
Ayeyarwady. The Kachin national race has a developed culture or
their own. Many ethnic tribes belong to the Kachin national race;
their dresses are colourful but different and their dialects also
differ. But they share the tradition of the Manau Festival and the
dances of our Kachin kinsfolk at their traditional Manau Festivals
are a blend dignity and delight. The men look warrior-like with
their swords held in front and the women in their colourful and
varied national costumes are captivating. Of the variety of Kachin
dances, the Manau dance is performed at Manau festivals, which
originated as part of the ‘Nat’ or spirit worship of the past. There
are ten kinds of Manau festivals held in commemoration of some
special event such as a successful harvest. But only five of these
festivals are considered to be of great significance
These five principal Manau festivals are;
(1) Hsu Rein Manau or hsut Manau
(2) Rawt Malan or Padan Manau
(3) Ju Manau
(4) Kun Ran Manau and
(5) Sha Dip Hpawt Manau festivals.
The Tawt Malan or Padan Manau Festival. This festival is held to
ensure victory in battle. In ancient times, it was like a battle cry
issued forth to recruit warriors to march on enemies.
Then there is the Ju Manau, which is a festival to pray for health,
protection from harm, for offspring to carry on family traditions
and other religious occasions.
The Kun Ran Manau is traditionally held to bless a family member who
has decided to leave the fold and set up his own household and work
his own land.
The Sha Dip Hpawt Manau is held to exorcise any evil spirits that
may be present in a new plot of land that is to be cultivated.
The Hsu Rein Manau or Hsut Manau is the most important of the
festivals. It is a grand festival to celebrate outstanding
charitable and philanthropic acts by the "Duwagyi" or "Great
Chieftains". Today the State together with wealthily Kachin people
sponsor the Hsut Manau in honour of the endeavours made by the
Kachin national races for the progress and development of the Kachin
State. It is also said to be a festival to welcome new kinsmen and
friends.
The venue of the festival is also specially arranged and decorated.
Twelve poles are fixed in the very centre of the enclosure set aside
for the celebrations. six of these poles are placed upright, with
two other pairs, each arranged in the form of a cross. The remaining
two are then placed parallel to the ground with one much higher than
the other. However, depending on the purpose of the occasion, the
Manau poles are arranged in a varying patterns. The configurations
on the Manau poles are stylized designs that depict the trail of
ants, birds, butterflies in flight, bulls with horns locked, waves,
and seeds that have sprouted and proliferated.
The basic designs however are diamond shapes and curved lines. The
top and bottom of the poles are panted with pictures of the sun,
moon and earth. The topmost side of the pole is cut, shaped and
painted over in the form of bird’s beak.
The principal musical instrument is the booming drum, which can be
heard within a radius of 4 or 5 miles. It is a long two-faced drum
made of calf or water buffalo leather. It is called the Long Drum or
Great Drum. Then there are the large gongs and a flute called a "Doon
Bar" on which is fixed a horn of the buffalo. The Manau dance does
not feature the one-sided. "Ozi" drum or cymbals as in another
Kachin traditional dance, the "Htaung Kar".
The leaders of the Manau Festival wear long robes with headdresses
of hornbill or peacock feathers. The headdresses is also adorned
with tusks of wild boar.
The Kachin Manau festival is inaugurated by the highest-ranking
official present after which follows the beat of the drums and the
echo of the gongs to invite all those far and near to join in the
festivities.
The ‘Manau dance’ is performed by two groups with two persons
leading each group. Behind the leaders come the members of various
clans, the Lawing Wawt, Lachieik, Rawan, Lihsu and Jinghpaw in full
ceremonial national dress. All those following behind have to watch
the leaders and follow their dance step and change steps and rhythm
when they do.
When the dance begins the Manau leaders and their respective group
members face the guests in the pavilion and perform a dance or
obeisance. Then they turn towards the Manau poles and bow and dance
in homage.
The two groups first dance in rows, gradually forming crescents and
finally forming one large circle that goes round and round the Manau
poles, but later as the drum beat and rhythm of the music change the
large circle converges to the centre, and all bow from head and
waist and then step backwards to form a wide circle again. When all
the dance steps have been completed, the guests and anyone who
wishes to are invited to join in the dance.
Sometimes, the leaders form the patterns painted on the Manau poles
with special dance steps.
A Kachin ‘Dah’ or sword is an important feature or the Manau Dance
and is held upright by the dancer. In Kachin culture the sword or
knife is the most unique and indispensable tool of life. With this
knife, land is cleared for cultivation, trees felled for timber to
build house and vows are exchanged with the Kachin ‘dah’ as witness
in betrothal ceremonies much as a Bible is used in Christian
ceremonies.
It was also with this sword that Kachin nationalists revolted
against colonial rule. So it is no wonder that the Kachin sword
features so prominently in the most important of the Kachin Manau
festivals.
The Manau dance consists of at least 7 to 9 dance movements and the
dance itself last form a minimum of one to three hours to a maximum
of four to eight days.
Any one, irrespective of race, religion or status, is welcome to
participate in this traditional dance festival. It is a very
pleasant enjoyable way to get to know at first hand the culture and
traditions so dear to the heart of the Kachin peoples. With this
dance can also be strengthened the foundations of friendship and
national unity.
<Presenting an article entitled " The Kachin Manau Festival "
written by Kyi Kyi Hla>
Proposed Itinerary – 9 days 8 nights
Yangon - MyitKyiNa - Putao-Namkhan - MaChanBaw -
MuLaShiDe - Putao - Yangon
Day 1 <Jan- 8> Arrive Yangon
Arrive Yangon by flight. Transfer to Hotel.
Yangon Sight Seeing. Overnight at Yangon.
Day 2<Jan 9> Yangon-MyitKyiNa
Morning transfer to Airport for flight to -
MyitKyiNa the largest city of Kachin state. Visit to Myitsone
(Confluence of Mekha and Melikha river) by car (roundabout 28 miles-
1:45 hrs drive) and Jawbumgyi @ Jawbum Tower (Prayer Mountain).
Overnight at Myit-Kyi-Na Guest House
Day 3 <Jan 10> Manau Festival Day
After Breakfast , join the Kachin race's Manau
Festival. Experience yourself into the local Tribe's lifestyle, join
their varieties of Kachin dancing . Then proceed to Balaminhtin
Bridge and Wai-Maw Township by Car. Drive back to MyitKyiNa.
Overnight at Nan Thi Dar Guest House
Day 4<Jan 11> MyitKyiNa-Putao-Panhlaing Village-MyinTharAye
Pagoda
Myit-Kyi-Na to Putao by flight. After lunch visit
to Panhlaing Village (Khamtishan Tribe) and Myin-Thar-Aye pagoda for
magnificent Sunset which is near the Fort Herz. Overnight at Putao
Khakaborazi Guest House.
Day 5<Jan12> Putao-Htawandam Village- KaungMuLon
Pagoda-Nankham
Putao to Htawandam village by car. Across the
Malikha River to Kaung-Mu-Lon pagoda. After Lunch proceed to Nankham
Village by Boat / Trekking. Overnight at Nankham Village -Family
House.
Day 6<Jan 13> Nam-khan Ma-chan-baw
Namkhan to Machanbaw by Trekking/Boat. Sight
seeing in Machanbaw. Overnight in Gubar Guest House.
Day 7<Jan14> Putao-MuLaShiDe Village
Drive back to Putao. Visit to MuLarShiDe Village
<Lisu Village> and on the way back visit Rawaung’s Cultural Museum (Dukkhtan
Village). Overnight in Putao Kaharborazi Guest House.
Day 8 <Jan 15> Putao –Yangon
Morning breakfast and visit Putao Market and
shopping. Transfer to Airport. Depart to Yangon by Flight. Overnight
at hotel.
Day 9 <Jan 16> Departure
Early Morning, breakfast at Hotel and transfer to
Airport
|
