Readying for return to stage, Arakanese zat pwe troupes see renewed conflict as potential spoiler

By DMG 17 Sep 2022

DMG Newsroom
17 September 2022, Sittwe

Traditional zat pwe artists and troupe owners in Arakan State, who have been preparing to return to the stage next month, now worry that a series of recent clashes between Myanmar’s military regime and the Arakan Army threaten to derail those plans.

Traditional zat pwe troupes such as Arian Moe Chit Thabin, Sein Shwe Yadanar and Arakha Mandai Khit Thit have been making arrangements to stage performances starting from October. But artists from the troupes are concerned about the increasingly likely possibility that they will need to suspend their planned performances due to recent clashes between the military and Arakan Army in Maungdaw, Rathedaung and Mrauk-U townships.

“Traditional zat pwe troupes are currently in rehearsal. Artists from traditional zat pwe troupes will face livelihood hardships if they are not allowed to perform due to ongoing fighting in Arakan State. We will decide what we should do depending on the country’s political situation,” said U Hla Maung Tun, an owner of the Arian Moe Chit Thabin troupe.

“We have accepted an offer to perform three traditional zat pwe events in Pauktaw, Myebon and Buthidaung. We will act depending on the country’s political stability. If we are not able to perform, we will face livelihood difficulties,” said U Maik Khe, manager of the Sein Shwe Yadanar troupe.

Artists from Arakha Mandai Khit Thit, one of the most famous zat pwe troupes in Arakan State, are prepared to provide entertainment, said Ko Naing Win Khant, director of the group.

“If we are not hired to perform, we all may face various hardships. We earn a living by performing. The owners of the traditional zat pwe troupes may suffer financial losses,” he explained.

Performers and owners of traditional zat pwe troupes faced financial losses due to clashes in Arakan State in 2018, at the advent of the previous conflict between the Myanmar military and Arakan Army. Traditional zat pwe troupes in Arakan State were not officially allowed in 2019 and 2020 as the conflict continued.

Zat pwe troupes in Arakan State began to return to the state’s cultural milieu in late 2020, and there were more than 10 traditional zat pwe troupes that entertained audiences in Arakan State last year.