THE GUIDE - The Rough Guide to Myanmar - page 391

FESTIVALS IN AND AROUND MANDALAY
Traditional festivals ,knownas pwe ,takeplacethroughouttheyearinMandalay-askstaff
at your hotel or guesthouse, or one of the city's many motorbike taxi drivers. These can be
incredibly noisy affairs, and some go on well into the night - people have reported having
to change hotels to get away from the din. However, pwe are hugely important to the city
and its inhabitants, and experiencing one, however briefly, will give you an insight into
how Mandalay functions. Note that since most are based on the lunar calendar, the dates
on which they take place vary year by year - run a quick internet search if you're in town
around any of the following times.
Mahamuni Paya Pwè This colourful event sees villagers from across the region arriving
in their thousands at the fantastic Mahamuni Paya. The festival lasts two full weeks, and
features umpteen evening shows - if you're in luck, you may see a traditional anyeint that
doesn't feature the Moustache Brothers. Usually early Feb.
Irrawaddy Literary Festival irrawaddylitfest.com . A relatively recent arrival on the
local festival scene, this brings together players in Myanmar's literary scene. International
authors also pop by to give talks and share opinions. Feb.
ThingyanWaterFestival Majoreventtakingplaceacrosstheland;justlikeanywhereelse
in the country, participants are likely to get totally drenched. Mid-April.
Sand Stupa Festival In three areas of Mandalay (check with your accommodation for the
one closest to you), large sand stupas are erected over the course of a single night; each
layer is supported with bamboo rods and mats. Usually May.
Shwe Kyun Pin Nat Pwè Taking place across the Ayeyarwady in the delightful village of
Mingun , this festival celebrates a brother and sister who drowned in the river and then be-
came nats . Expect to see hundreds of farmers from across the area, who arrive on bullock
carts wearing richly colourful costumes. Usually July.
Taungbyone Nat Pwè Held in the town of Taungbyone, around 18km north of Mandalay,
this huge event is one of the most famous nat pwè in the land - don't miss out on it if
you'reintheareanearthistime. The nat pwè honours twobrothers ,MinGyiandMinLay,
who apparently assumed supernatural powers after eating the body of a dead zawgyi (al-
chemist); legend aside, the thousands attending are more interested in eating, dancing and
making offerings. July/Aug.
Yadanagu Nat Pwè The week after Taungbyone's pwe , the circus moves south to
Amarapura to honour Mai Wunna , the brothers' mother. Usually Aug.
ThadingyutFestival MarkingtheendofBuddhistLent,thisfestivaltakesplaceacrossthe
land,andconstitutesthelargestfestivalincentralMandalay.Buddhistmonumentsandcity