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{{EngvarB|date=November 2015}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2015}} {{Culture of Burma}}{{Incomplete list|date=May 2025}} '''Burmese traditional festivals''' are based on the traditional Burmese calendar and dates are largely determined by the moon's phase.{{citation needed|date=October 2014}} Burmese culture is most evident in villages where local festivals are held throughout the year, the most important being the pagoda festival.<ref name="Myam-ma">{{cite book |author=Tsaya |year=1886 |title=Myam-ma, the home of the Burman |publisher=Thacker, Spink and Co. |location=Calcutta |pages=36–37}}</ref><ref name="sy">{{cite book |author=Shway Yoe |year=1882|title=The Burman – His Life and Notions |publisher=Norton Library 1963 |location=New York |pages=211–216, 317–319}}</ref>
== Festivals == {| class="wikitable" |- ! Month ! Festival(s) ! Day ! Significance ! Events |- | Tagu (April) | Thingyan | Mid-April | Marks the beginning of the Burmese new year | Gadaw (paying obeisance to elders), water games, observation of the Buddhist Sabbath (Uposatha), parades |- | Kason (May) | Bo tree watering festival | Full moon of Kason | Marks the birth, enlightenment and death of Gautama Buddha (Vesākha) | Watering of the Bo tree |- | Nayon (June) | Tipitaka Festival | | Nationwide Pariyatti Sasana examinations for Buddhist monks<ref>[http://www.allmyanmar.com/new%20allmyanmar.com/Myanmar%20Festival%20Nayon.html] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090125083018/http://www.allmyanmar.com/new%20allmyanmar.com/Myanmar%20Festival%20Nayon.html|date=25 January 2009}}</ref> | |- | Waso (July) | Robe Offering Festival,<ref>[http://www.allmyanmar.com/new%20allmyanmar.com/Myanmar%20Festival%20Waso.html] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100918084131/http://www.allmyanmar.com/new%20allmyanmar.com/Myanmar%20Festival%20Waso.html|date=18 September 2010}}</ref> Dhammasekya Day | Full moon of Waso | Marks the beginning of the Buddhist lent (Vassa); anniversary of Buddha's first sermon on the Four Noble Truths | Donation of monk robes, shinbyu ceremonies |- | Wagaung (August) | Taungbyon Nat Festival<ref>[http://www.allmyanmar.com/new%20allmyanmar.com/Myanmar%20Festival%20Wagaung.html] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101008044052/http://www.allmyanmar.com/new%20allmyanmar.com/Myanmar%20Festival%20Wagaung.html|date=8 October 2010}}</ref> | | | |- | Tawthalin (September) | Regatta Festival | | | Boat rowing competitions |- | Thadingyut (October) | Festival of Lights | Full moon of Thadingyut | Marks the end of the Buddhist lent (Vassa) | Gift exchanges, gadaw (paying obeisance to elders), lighting of candles, pagoda visits |- | rowspan="3" | Tazaungmon (November) | Tazaungdaing Festival of Lights<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.modins.net/myanmarinfo/festival/tazaungdine.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120804222416/http://www.modins.net/myanmarinfo/festival/tazaungdine.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-date=4 August 2012 |title=MODiNS [ Myanmar Online Information ] |publisher=Modins.net |access-date=19 March 2012}}</ref> | rowspan="2" | Full moon of Tazaungmon | Marks the end of the rainy season | Lighting of hot air balloons by the Shan people in Shan State, and lanterns nationwide |- | Kyi Ma No Festival | | Mischief-making |- | Kahtein Thingan Offering Festival | Between Thadingyut and Tazaungmon | | Offering of Kathina robes to Buddhist monks |- | rowspan="2"| Nadaw (December) | Karen New Year | | Marks the new year of the Karen people | |- | Nat festivals<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.modins.net/myanmarinfo/festival/nattaw.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120904075842/http://www.modins.net/myanmarinfo/festival/nattaw.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-date=4 September 2012 |title=MODiNS [ Myanmar Online Information ] |publisher=Modins.net |access-date=19 March 2012}}</ref> | | Ritual feasts honoring Burmese nats (spirits) | |- | Pyatho (January) | Kachin Manaw Festival | | Marks the new year of the Kachin people | |- | Tabodwe (February) | Harvest Festival<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.modins.net/myanmarinfo/festival/tabodwe.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030605190436/http://www.modins.net/myanmarinfo/festival/tabodwe.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-date=5 June 2003 |title=MODiNS [ Myanmar Online Information ] |publisher=Modins.net |access-date=19 March 2012}}</ref> | | Celebration of rice harvests | Cooking of htamane, a special sticky rice made with sesame seeds, peanuts and ginger |- | Tabaung (March) | Shwedagon Pagoda Festival<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.modins.net/myanmarinfo/festival/tapaun.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120804133432/http://www.modins.net/myanmarinfo/festival/tapaun.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-date=4 August 2012 |title=MODiNS [ Myanmar Online Information ] |publisher=Modins.net |access-date=19 March 2012}}</ref><br />Nationwide pagoda festivals | | Nationwide pagoda festivals | Celebrations on Singuttara Hill |}
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Burma (Myanmar) topics}}
Category:Culture of Myanmar Category:Festivals in Myanmar Burma