Burmese traditional festivals are based on the traditional Burmese calendar and dates are largely determined by the moon's phase. Burmese culture is most evident in villages where local festivals are held throughout the year, the most important being the pagoda festival.
Festivals Month Festival(s) Day Significance Events Tagu (April) Thingyan Mid-April Marks the beginning of the Burmese new year Gadaw (paying obeisance to elders), water games, observation of the Buddhist Sabbath (Uposatha), parades Kason (May) Bo tree watering festival Full moon of Kason Marks the birth, enlightenment and death of Gautama Buddha (Vesākha) Watering of the Bo tree Nayon (June) Tipitaka Festival Nationwide Pariyatti Sasana examinations for Buddhist monks Waso (July) Robe Offering Festival, Dhammasekya Day Full moon of Waso Marks the beginning of the Buddhist lent (Vassa); anniversary of Buddha's first sermon on the Four Noble Truths Donation of monk robes, shinbyu ceremonies Wagaung (August) Taungbyon Nat Festival Tawthalin (September) Regatta Festival Boat rowing competitions Thadingyut (October) Festival of Lights Full moon of Thadingyut Marks the end of the Buddhist lent (Vassa) Gift exchanges, gadaw (paying obeisance to elders), lighting of candles, pagoda visits Tazaungmon (November) Tazaungdaing Festival of Lights Full moon of Tazaungmon Marks the end of the rainy season Lighting of hot air balloons by the Shan people in Shan State, and lanterns nationwide Kyi Ma No Festival Mischief-making Kahtein Thingan Offering Festival Between Thadingyut and Tazaungmon Offering of Kathina robes to Buddhist monks Nadaw (December) Karen New Year Marks the new year of the Karen people Nat festivals Ritual feasts honoring Burmese nats (spirits) Pyatho (January) Kachin Manaw Festival Marks the new year of the Kachin people Tabodwe (February) Harvest Festival Celebration of rice harvests Cooking of htamane, a special sticky rice made with sesame seeds, peanuts and ginger Tabaung (March) Shwedagon Pagoda FestivalNationwide pagoda festivals Nationwide pagoda festivals Celebrations on Singuttara Hill
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