Ramree readies for Rammarwadi boat race

30 Apr 2022

DMG Newsroom

30 April 2022, Ramree

 For the second year in a row, the Rammarwadi traditional boat race will be held from May 16-19 in Arakan State’s Ramree Township, with the aim of preserving the long-established cultural showcase, according to the competition’s organising committee. 

“This boat race is the pride of Ramree and demonstrates solidarity,” said organising committee member U Kan Kaung. 

So far, more than 20 teams have registered for the competition, with one team each from Manaung and Taungup townships, and the rest from Ramree. A team typically consists of 13 to 15 people, according to Ko Tun Naing, another member of the event organising committee.

“I am glad and honoured to have an opportunity to take part in carrying on this tradition. We have prepared a lot for the boat race,” he said. 

The boat race will feature two divisions, with cash prizes of K2 million, K1.8 million and K1.5 million to be awarded for the first, second and third place finishers in the upper division, and K1.8 million, K1.5 million and K1.3 million to be handed out to the top three teams in the lower division. 

Arakanese traditional boat races are also held in conjunction with annual pagoda festivals at Shitthoung Pagoda in the ancient city of Mrauk-U and at Mt. Kyauktaw Pagoda in Kyauktaw Township, attracting large crowds of spectators. 

The traditional Rammarwadi rowing competition has been held in Ramree Township since the Mrauk-U Kingdom era, with occasional periods of hiatus including the three years prior to 2021, when the competition resumed and was also held in May.