Rammarwadi boat race cancelled this year

By Admin 28 Apr 2023

DMG Newsroom
28 April 2023, Sittwe

The Rammarwadi boat race, an annual rowing competition that takes place in May in Arakan State’s Ramree Township, will not be held this year due to certain difficulties, according to the competition’s organising committee.

The committee’s U Tun Naing said the event’s cancellation this year was mainly because there are few competitors for the race, as many local youths have left Arakan State to work overseas. It is also partly due to financial constraints and security concerns, he added.

“We have financial constraints. And many young people from the villages have left to work overseas because it is hard to make a living here. So, there are no people to compete in the boat race. We also have concerns for safety because of the current political situation. So, we won’t hold the competition,” he told DMG.

More than 20 teams from Ramree, Manaung, and Taungup townships contested the boat race last year.

Manaung resident Kaung Myat Zaw said he was disappointed that the annual boat race will not take place this year.

“We were invited to participate in the boat race last year, and we contested with much enthusiasm. We also planned to contest this year to help preserve this tradition. I am very sorry that the race will not be held this year,” he said.

The traditional Rammarwadi rowing competition in Ramree Township dates back to the Mrauk-U Kingdom era, according to historical records. The competition was held annually but with occasional periods of hiatus including the three years prior to 2021, when the competition resumed.

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