Festival of Kachin State (Kachin Manaw Festival)

Kachin State, this place is well-known among Myanmar people because of the highest mountain in Myanmar, Hkakabo Razi and a huge inland lake, Indawgyi Lake. Everyone want to go there because this state is full of beautiful landscapes, mountain ranges and flower fields. Moreover, Kachin Manaw Festival or Manau Pwe is one of the most famous displays of ethnic culture. Nowadays Kachin Manaw Festival is somewhat popular not only for the locals but also for the foreigners day by day. Let us share detail information about Kachin Manaw Festival in the following paragraph.

Kachin State

Where is Kachin State? It occupies a large area of northern Myanmar. Moreover, it is bordered with northern Shan State, southwestern of China State and northeastern of India. You can find the snow in the highest area of northern part. The word Kachin derives from the Jinghpaw word. Most of the residents live in Kachin State believe in Christian. However, the Manaw festival is about worshipping the spirits. This festival aim at giving an honor to  the chief of Kachin spirit, Karai Kasang. There is also the one who have responsibility for contacting with the spirits, dumsa. The most famous holds in Myitkyinna, which is the capital of Kachin State. Once this festival was broadcast live on TV Channel. 

Kachin Manaw Park

The Manaw festival ground is located in the southern part of Myitkyina. In Bhamo and Putao, there is  another smaller Manaw festival. Myitkyina festival ground is a large one and decorated with Manaw poles which are almost 20 meters in height. Moreover, these poles are adorned with traditional motif  in red, black and white. The dancing during this festival led by loud drums and community leaders. Both boys and girls participate in the dancing. Kachin people wear their own national dresses which are embellished with metallic objects. Furthermore, they bring their traditional artefact  such as swords. These swords are normally inheritance and do not use for the fighting.

Features of Manaw Festival

The celebration of this festival aims at victory in war, gathering the families to make the future plans, commemorate the death of the older people and bringing good destiny to the farming area. This festival is pricey because they provide meals for everyone. The dishes will include buffalo, pork, beef, chicken, rice and rice wine. During the festival the villagers wear their tribal clothes participate the festival. They dance slowly and gently. The girls wear red skirts and velvet jackets in black and dance by waving the handkerchief.

How to Get there?

The best option is to take a direct flight to Myitkyina from Yangon. But the airfare will be around 150 dollars for one way and it will take around 3 hours. Then it will stop in Mandalay, Bhamo and arrive Myitkyina in final.

The second option is to go to Mandalay. From Mandalay you can take the ferry or bus to arrive Bhamo. From Bhamo to Myitkyina, you only can take flight and other transportations are restricted. 

If you want to inquire about flight and bus information to visit there, you can contact us freely.

For this year, I’ve already inquired Ministry of Hotel and Tourism about the Manaw Festival. This will be celebrated on January 10th. Hope this information will be useful for you and wish you would leave rating for this post. If there is any information to add more, please let us know by leaving it in the comment.