THE bullock cart is the most suitable type of vehicle for Myanmar’s traditional donation ceremony, especially the novitiate ceremony. The bullock was formerly called Hleyinkyawt (decorated cart) and Shwehle (golden cart). More than 70 per cent of the over 50 million people in Myanmar rely on agriculture for their livelihood.

In the dry season like Thadingyut, Tazaungmone and Nataw, the production rate of crops is in proper condition in rural areas. Meanwhile, the farmers reap proper incomes, donate Katina’s robe, and organize a novitiate ceremony for boys and an ear-piercing ceremony for girls, fulfilling an essential duty of parenthood.

For such traditional donation events, the elephant, horse and bullock carts and vehicles are beautifully decorated and go around the townships and monasteries. At the same time, the people with drums and Ohsi are entertaining.

Although renting elephants, horses, and vehicles is easy for the procession, it is challenging to hire a bullock cart. Personal communication in rural areas plays a crucial role in renting bullock carts, and it is hard to hire even 14 or 15 carts.

“It is tough to find bullock carts in up-country. If there are cart associations, it might be easy to hire carts for donation ceremonies. The rental fee is only K20,000 and K25,000 per cart. However, one village can get only one or two carts, so it is hard to get 10 or 15 carts. However, we have to arrange them properly as they represent tradition and culture,” said U Thet Tun, chairman of Chanthagyi Social Welfare Association in Minbu.

On the eve of the novitiate ceremony, the vehicle carrying the Buddha statue goes around leading the line, followed by the elephant, horse and bullock carts carrying novices-to-be, fathers and mothers of novices-to-be and girls carrying robes and gifts for the monks. Moreover, the dance troupes carrying drums and Ohsi actively participate in the event. Therefore, the novitiate ceremony intends to conserve the caravan of bullock carts as part of Myanmar tradition and culture. — Zeyar Htet (Minbu)/KTZH