Traditional zat pwe troupes not officially allowed to perform, says Arakan State military council spox

04 Jan 2022

DMG Newsroom
4 January 2022, Sittwe 

A spokesman for the Arakan State Administration Council said traditional zat pwe troupes and stage shows have not been officially allowed as Covid-19 has not been eliminated in Arakan State. 

Traditional zat pwe troupes and shows are not officially allowed, said U Hla Thein, an information officer and attorney-general of the Arakan State Administration Council, who also acknowledged that limited crowds of up to 200 people are currently allowed to gather at military-sponsored events. 

“Now, 200 people can be allowed, because the incidence of Covid-19 has dropped. So far, traditional zat pwe troupes and stage shows have not been officially allowed. Whether it is allowed or not depends on the condition of the pandemic,” the Arakan State military council spokesman told DMG. 

Traditional zat pwe events have not been held for more than two years due to past conflict and the Covid-19 pandemic in Arakan State.  

Many zat pwe artists have struggled to make ends meet during the downtime. 

U Tun Myint, chairman of the Arakan State Zat Thabin Association, said: “Therefore, the artists want the government to officially allow traditional zat pwe events to be held in accordance with the Covid-19 rules.” 

He added: “We want official permission from the local government to hold traditional zat pwe events. We will present a letter to the local government seeking permission for the zat pwe events in cooperation with other zat pwe troupes.” 

The Sein Shwe Yadanar Zat Pwe troupe, which was booked last year to entertain in Sittwe on the Full Moon Day of Tazaungdaing, November 15, was reportedly banned from performing, after the stage was set up, due to lack of official permission. 

A total of 11 troupes have been re-established in eight Arakan State townships. Currently, zat pwe troupes are not allowed to perform in downtowns, but they are performing in rural areas, said U Chan Aye, secretary of the Arakan State Zat Thabin Association.