Lahu villages in Tachilek Township, Shan State (East), will celebrate the New Year festival as usual, according to the Lahu National Literature and Culture Association.
“Traditionally, our people celebrate the new year festival between the 1st and 11th waxing of Tabodwe. Villagers will organize traditional dances daily and welcome the visitors with our cuisines,” Chairman of the association U Yae Shel said. The festival will fall around 10 to 20 February this year.
Tachilek Township is home to over 40 Lahu villages, with Yaypusan Village holding the largest Lahu population. While the youth enjoy dances and feasts, the elders partake in hand-washing ceremonies, symbolizing their hopes for a tranquil and prosperous year ahead.
Other festival highlights include the pine-growing demonstration, pounding khawpoke (dried sticky rice), games of spinning tops, courtship rituals among bachelors, and dodge ball matches. — ASH/NT
