Celebratory events in Arakan State on the downswing

19 Aug 2019

Min Tun | DMG
18 August, Sittwe
 
Celebrations of auspicious occasions in Arakan State has decreased because of the lack of regional stability due to fighting in the region.

The memorial event of Sayargyi U Oo Tha Tun was previously held on 14 August, but Arakanese people did not observe the event this year.

Arakanese people were required to apply for a permit from authorities to celebrate the event, so their enthusiasm for the occasion waned.

“Associations and organizations are facing difficulties to host events due to political antagonism and cultural differences. Authorities require lots of information about events we want to observe, so we get frustrated and feel it’s not worth all the extra effort celebrate an event.” said U Khin Maung Tun, secretary of the Thaki Mandaing Literature and Culture Organization.

Sayargyi U Oo Tha Tun is respected by Arakanese people because he gathered and archived Arakanese culture, history and literature for the world to know. He also tried to promote democracy and equality for Arakanese people and other oppressed ethnic people.

Arakanese people held the Sittwe Rice Crisis Day on 13 August, but it does not draw large numbers of people like in the past.
 
Some criticized that any occasion cannot be celebrated because of the fighting in the region.

“There are different kinds of memorial events, some are related to the whole country while some are only for Arakanese people. But all events cannot be celebrated as widely as before,” said Sayar U Than Tun, who is providing social aid in the community.

Local residents had to cancel the Arakanese traditional Train Pulling Festival (tug of war), a well-known festival in Arakan State, in February under security reason.