THE traditional Thingyan Festival, which is deeply cherished by all Myanmar people as a New Year celebration, has been successfully inscribed on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
This inclusion is a significant historic achievement for the people of Myanmar, showcasing the value and pride they place on their cultural heritage. A press conference by the Myanmar Cultural Heritage Preservation Committee was held yesterday afternoon at Yangon’s Greenery Park to highlight the efforts made towards this accomplishment. The event also featured voices from those who actively contributed to the inscription process.
Daw Sanda Khin Chairperson of the Myanmar Cultural Heritage Preservation Committee
Thingyan, the traditional Myanmar New Year festival, has now been officially recognized as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO. This marks Myanmar’s first intangible cultural heritage acknowledged on the global stage. Every country has a wealth of cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible. In 2003, UNESCO established the Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee to protect and preserve such traditions worldwide. Myanmar signed the UNESCO Convention in 2013, committing to safeguarding its intangible cultural heritage.
To achieve global recognition, cultural elements must first be designated as national heritage. Myanmar has documented over 2,200 intangible cultural heritage items at the national level, and Thingyan was chosen for its outstanding significance to represent the country internationally. This effort was spearheaded by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture, with support from Myanmar’s ambassador to UNESCO based in France, scholars, civil society groups, and individuals.
The nomination process began in March 2023, when Thingyan was formally submitted to UNESCO. The application highlighted Thingyan’s historical roots, authenticity, cultural values, and widespread public participation. It also emphasised its unique characteristics, such as the spirit of generosity, social harmony, and inclusiveness, transcending age, gender, and ethnicity. These attributes, combined with efforts from relevant ministries and experts, ensured Thingyan’s successful recognition as a global cultural heritage.
Thingyan’s designation as an intangible cultural heritage underscores its importance as a unifying festival that reflects Myanmar’s history, culture, and community values. It is a celebration of goodwill, cleansing, and the ushering in of a new year, making it a cherished tradition that resonates with people from all walks of life.
Daw Nan Laung Ngin Director, National Museum (Yangon) Department of Archaeology and National Museum Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture Member, Myanmar Cultural Heritage Preservation Committee
Culture encompasses two distinct categories: tangible heritage and intangible heritage. Tangible heritage includes material objects, artefacts, and ancient cities like the Pyu cities, which can be physically touched and observed. On the other hand, intangible heritage represents cultural elements that cannot be physically manifested, often referred to as spiritual or mental heritage. Internationally, it is widely recognized as an intangible cultural heritage.
Scholars emphasize that the presence of tangible heritage alone does not necessarily define a society’s importance. Instead, the core measure of a society’s civility or cultural depth lies significantly in its intangible heritage. Consequently, public awareness and education about the significance of intangible cultural heritage remain an ongoing priority.
A notable distinction between tangible and intangible cultural heritage lies in their recognition processes. Tangible heritage can be submitted to international bodies like UNESCO by experts or governmental authorities. In contrast, intangible cultural heritage requires collective input and submission by relevant community organizations and stakeholders rather than solely by governments.
For example, the submission of the Thingyan Festival as an intangible cultural heritage was a collaborative effort among various organizations. The festival’s recognition underscores the importance of community-driven initiatives in cultural preservation.
At the 19th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, attended by representatives from 195 countries and over 800 participants, decisions were categorized into three key areas. The priority involves safeguarding rapidly disappearing cultural traditions. For instance, Myanmar submitted the Chin community’s traditional flute-playing custom, which is on the brink of extinction. Similarly, widely celebrated traditions like the Thingyan Festival are also protected under these initiatives.
Dr Lae Lae Aung Director, Department of Fine Arts, Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture
At the 19th Session of the World Intangible Cultural Heritage Conference, Myanmar submitted a proposal recognising the Traditional Thingyan Water Festival as part of its cultural heritage. Unlike the global Gregorian calendar, the Myanmar calendar operates uniquely, with the New Year occurring after the Tagu (April) month concludes and the Tabodwe (November) month begins. During this transitional period, the calendar’s details are carefully observed.
Myanmar’s traditional New Year period coincides with extremely hot weather. From ancient times, people have celebrated Thingyan by sprinkling water to ease the heat and symbolically wash away the impurities of the old year, ensuring they do not carry over into the new one.
Thingyan showcases Myanmar’s rich cultural traditions, customs, and vibrant way of life. Beyond water-related festivities, the recognition of Thingyan as an intangible cultural heritage aims to preserve this unique tradition and introduce its significance to the world, fostering appreciation and understanding of Myanmar’s cultural values. —Information Team/ KZL
