U Ottama events to remain low-key in 2023

By Admin 04 Sep 2023

DMG Newsroom
4 September 2023, Sittwe

The death of prominent Arakanese Buddhist monk U Ottama, who played a significant part in Myanmar’s independence struggle against British colonial rule, will be commemorated on September 9, but this year’s memorial will once again be held only on a small scale in most Arakan State townships, according to organisers.

Some organisers of the memorial were arrested in 2022, prompting concerns that the regime might do the same this year.

“There are no organisers this year. We will only lay wreaths and light oil lamps,” said a Thandwe resident.

The memorial will be held at Shwe Garuna Hall in Sittwe, with competitions on poem recitation, art, knowledge about Arakan State, and essay, article and poetry writing from primary to university levels, said U Maung Maung Saw, chair of the Rakhine Nyunt Phu Association.

The commemoration will also be held on a small scale in Mrauk-U, according to the Mrauk-U Youths Association (MUYA).

“So far, no organisation is planning to hold the event on a large scale. I think we will only lay wreaths and light oil lamps,” said MUYA member Ko Myat Min Soe.

U Ottama was born in 1879 in Sittwe, and was a prominent Buddhist monk known across Asia. Revered as one of the architects of Myanmar’s independence struggle against British colonial rule, the monk died on September 9, 1939. The anniversary of his death is marked by Arakanese communities every year as U Ottama Day.

Under previous military regimes, authorities did not allow the commemoration, and several organisers were arrested. Since the U Thein Sein government came to power in 2011, U Ottama Day was largely observed freely for the next several years. But for the past four years, memorials have not been allowed on a large scale due to a combination of factors including armed conflict, political instability and the Covid-19 pandemic.

In Pauktaw, the organising committee this year is facing financial constraints to organise the event.

“We have plans to include some competition in the memorial. We will march toward his statue and pay homage on September 9,” said organising committee member U Tun Tha Sein.

Each year a persistent group of Arakanese people use September 9 to demand — so far, in vain — that the day be designated as an official public holiday.

Sayadaw Ashin Eaindavumsa, who is writing a book about U Ottama, said: “In other countries, independence heroes are honoured, but not in this country. It depends on authorities whether or not to recognise him.”