8 Common Misunderstandings about Myanmar Water Festival

The Myanmar Water Festival is a joyous annual celebration and cultural highlight for the Burmese people. Its name is a big clue to what the festival looks like, but there’s a lot more to it. Let’s see if what you think you know about the Water Festival is true.

Misunderstanding 1: Myanmar Water Festival Is the Same as Myanmar New Year

The Water Festival is closely related to the Myanmar New Year, known as Thingyan, but they’re not the same thing. The playful activities where people throw water at each other to cleanse away the sins of the previous year and kick off the New Year Festivities, but are only one part of larger celebrations for Myanmar people.

In 2024, the Burmese New Year will take place from April 13th to 16th. The wider festivities include visiting pagodas and monasteries to make offerings, joining community gatherings, and spending time with family.

Young people prepare traditional food by throwing glutinous rice balls with palm sugar into boiling water and serving them as soon as they pop back up. On New Year’s Day, people visit their elders and engage in compassionate, merit-making activities like releasing fish into lakes and rivers.

The Water Festival of Myanmar

Misunderstanding 2: Myanmar Water Festival Is Solely a Buddhist Festival

The Water Festival has ties to Buddhist traditions but is not only a Buddhist festival. It is a multicultural celebration of Myanmar’s cultural heritage with no specific Buddhist version.

Buddhists, Hindus, Christians, and Muslims across the country all take part. Buddhists might engage in specific religious activities during the festival, but overall, it is a time for building community and national spirit. 

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Misunderstanding 3: Myanmar Water Festival Is Similar to Other Water Festivals Worldwide

It shouldn’t be surprising that water is used festively in different places, but that doesn’t make all water festivals the same. Myanmar’s Water Festival has evolved as an expression of its unique cultural heritage. Local folklore and cultural practices shape the festival and make it something distinct.

One example is the last day of the water festival when Thagya Min returns to the heavens after descending to give blessings at the start of the Burmese New Year. Thagya Min is an important figure in traditional Burmese Buddhist belief and a feature of this festival that makes it unique.

Thagya Min is the highest-ranking nat in traditional burmese buddhist belief

Misunderstanding 4: Myanmar Water Festival Is Only Celebrated in One Day

The Water Festival is too much fun for only one day. Traditionally, Thingyan takes place over four days. Water throwing starts on the first day at the signal of a cannon going off.

After that, everyone participating in the New Year activity can throw water at each other using any device that delivers water. The last day of the water festival is on day four, right before New Year’s Eve.

Misunderstanding 5: Myanmar Water Festival Is a Free-for-all Water Fight with No Rules

Water throwing during the festival is not entirely chaotic. Cultural norms encourage people to always have respect for others and not splash water at people who do not wish to participate or who may be vulnerable.

The water fights can get energetic, but participants are expected to be conscious of safety. People are also expected to be mindful of how much water they use. Excessive usage or amounts that lead to property damage are not accepted.

Local cultural and religious traditions encourage compassion and community spirit. Being splashed with water symbolizes washing away sins and dispelling bad luck. The water festival is about spreading goodwill and celebrating together. Participants are expected to behave with that in mind. 

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Misunderstanding 6: Foreign Tourists Are Not Welcome to Participate in Myanmar Water Festival

Inclusivity is an important theme of the Water Festival, and that includes foreign tourists. The festival is highly anticipated every year and attracts visitors from all over the world.

Burmese people are happy to see others enjoying their cultural traditions. It is an excellent chance for tourists to immerse themselves in an authentic local experience as long as they participate respectfully.

Each of you are welcome to join in the fun of water in Myanmar

Misunderstanding 7: Myanmar Water Festival Is Only about Water, and There Is No Significance to the Traditional Foods during the Festival

Food is an important part of Water Festival celebrations. Food and snack stands are set up everywhere people celebrate. The favorite dessert, Mont Lone Yay Baw, is made of glutinous rice with palm sugar inside. It is prepared communally, and people sometimes try to prank each other by stuffing the rice balls with chili pepper.

Another snack, Mont Let Saung, is made from sticky rice with toasted sesame and palm sugar syrup, served with coconut milk. Regional customs include dishes like Thingyan rice, made by the Mon people. It’s made with rice, snakehead fish, and fried onions and served with a green mango salad.

The Mont Let Saung of Myanmar Water Festival 

Misunderstanding 8: Thingyan Is Celebrated Only in Yangon and Mandalay

Yangon and Mandalay are two of the biggest cities in Myanmar, but Thingyan is a national celebration. Communities all over the country, down to small villages, engage in festivities.

Regional variations on traditions can be found all over Myanmar. In the Shan State, traditional dance performances are an important element. Other places, like the Ayeyarwady Delta region, will include boat races.

Conclusion

Joining the Myanmar Water Festival is a fantastic way to experience local culture firsthand. Water festivals in other countries might make you think you know what to expect, but Myanmar’s celebrations are truly unique.

The strong community spirit and ideals of inclusivity make tourists enthusiastically welcome to join in. There is no better time for a cultural Myanmar tour! Contact us for more information.