Kayin State government is preparing to seek the inclusion of Kayin traditional Don Yein Dance in the UNESCO World Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
Almost all of the preparations were completed, according to the State’s Social Affairs Minister U Bo Bo Wai Maung.
Under the guidance of the Kayin State government, Kayin State Committee on Preservation and Promotion of Intangible Cultural Heritage, Kayin Literature and Culture Group and all Kayin people participated in the project.
The submission of the traditional dance for the world’s intangible cultural heritage will be made in accordance with the standards set by UNESCO.
For the three periods of colonial era, independence era and present era, researches in Don Yein Dance were carried out on its dancing styles, songs and verses, musical instruments, traditional costumes, and photos, videos and literary culture.
“Works on submitting Kayin traditional Don Yein Dance to UNESCO were almost completed. In the first phase, researches were carried out at the villages that preserved the Don Yein Dance. With the facts and findings gained from the researches, the dance including Buffalo Don and Tiger Done from Feudal Lords Era were performed for the UNESCO list”, said Chairman of the Kayin State Committee on Preservation and Promotion of Intangible Cultural Heritage and Social Affairs Minister U Bo Bo Wai Maung.
Historical facts about the Kayin Don Yein Dance were researched for UNESCO at the regions and villages where the Kayin traditional culture was developed. Personal experiences of the elderly about the traditional dance were also systematically recorded.
“We studied at almost all the places where the literature and culture about Kayin Don Yein Dance were developed. Township/Village literature and culture groups collected the required facts about the dance. Region/State Kayin ethnic affairs ministers, Kayin literature and culture associations and religious leaders also provided assistance,” he added.
Kayin State government led by the State Chief Minister Daw Nang Khin Htwe Myint arranged to organize the performance of the Kayin Don Yein Dance to be submitted to UNESCO for the public at Hpa-an University Convocation Hall on 26 January.
Saw Myo Min Thein (IPRD)
(Translated by Kyaw Zin Tun)
