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Burmese traditional festivals are based on the traditional Burmese calendar and dates are largely determined by the moon's phase.[citation needed] Burmese culture is most evident in villages where local festivals are held throughout the year, the most important being the pagoda festival.[1][2]
| 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[3] | ||
| Waso (July) | Robe Offering Festival,[4] 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[5] | |||
| 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 |
| Tazaungmon (November) | Tazaungdaing Festival of Lights[6] | 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 | ||
| Nadaw (December) | Karen New Yearn | Marks the new year of the Karen people | ||
| Nat festivals[7] | Ritual feasts honoring Burmese nats (spirits) | |||
| Pyatho (January) | Kachin Manaw Festival | Marks the new year of the Kachin people | ||
| Tabodwe (February) | Harvest Festival[8] | Celebration of rice harvests | Cooking of htamane, a special sticky rice made with sesame seeds, peanuts and ginger | |
| Tabaung (March) | Shwedagon Pagoda Festival[9] Nationwide pagoda festivals |
Nationwide pagoda festivals | Celebrations on Singuttara Hill |
Edited by TZWK (Dastan Fitz)
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