Lwebaung, Shan State (South) to host traditional Pa-O lighting ceremony

The Pa-O traditional lighting ceremony will take place on the full moon day and the 1st waning day of Tabodwe in Lwebaung, Naungpi village-tract, Pinlaung Township of the Pa-O Self-Administered Zone in southern Shan State, according to (U) Sai Ngin, the head of the Pa-O Ethnic Literature and Culture Association.
“There are seven Pa-O villages in the Lwebaung area. These seven villages jointly organize this traditional ceremony. The cultural groups from these villages assemble at the Buddha Garden of Lwebaung Monastery, where they set up the light pole (flambeau or flaming torch) and perform traditional music and dances. The joint lighting festival will be observed from the full moon day (24 February) to the 1st waning day (25 February),” said (U) Sai Ngein.
While this ceremony was once attended exclusively by middle-aged and older residents of the seven villages in Lwebaung, younger people from the Pa-O villages are now actively involved. The traditional Pa-O lighting ceremony is at risk of fading away. — ASH/MKKS