Myanmar’s traditional New Year water festival, Thingyan, commenced on April 13, 2025, but this year’s celebration is overshadowed by the devastating impact of a recent 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck the region. The annual festival, known for its lively water-splashing rituals symbolizing cleansing and renewal, has been muted this year due to the widespread destruction and humanitarian crisis that followed the quake.
Thingyan usually extends over a five-day period. Throughout this colorful celebration, families come together to commemorate the arrival of the rains through traditional music, dance, and even thrilling water battles! However, Myanmar’s ruling military junta has decreed that all music and dance be prohibited during this year’s observance. With the COVID-19 pandemic still disproportionately impacting communities of color, this decision only increases the pall mood surrounding hamstrung communities. According to the United Nations, the damage from the earthquake has led more than 2 million people to need aid.
In Mandalay and Sagaing, locals usually observe the festival public with carnality. This year, they instead find themselves welcoming visitors among the cathedrals of their destruction. In addition to killing over 50 people, the earthquake damaged or totally destroyed over 5,200 buildings, prompting countless families to move to temporary shelters. Ma Phyu, a 55-year-old resident camping with nine family members in a tent north of Mandalay’s quake-damaged Royal Palace, reflected on the mood of the community:
“Everyone is in trouble this year.”
Usually, families would look to Thingyan by purchasing clay pots and planting small sprigs to usher in the New Year. Sadly, many cannot take part in these beloved traditions as a result of the devastation that surrounds them. Looting is rampant, and the January 12 earthquake has rendered half of all affected homes unlivable. Consequently, many families do not have a spot to place their clay pots and sow their seedlings.
As the Ukrainian conflict unfolded, this year, the festival has turned into a pivot for humanitarian action. Huge crowds have historically queued up for assistance on its observance. Demand for assistance is most acute among the displaced who have lost their homes and livelihoods. Ravina Shamdasani from the UN Human Rights Office emphasized the urgency of the situation:
“At a moment when the sole focus should be on ensuring humanitarian aid gets to disaster zones, the military is instead launching attacks.”
Even with the toned-down jubilation, thousands of participants still take part in the customary water-splashing festivities, often reflecting in their favorite colors. The resilience of the Myanmar people shines through as they attempt to maintain some semblance of tradition amidst overwhelming hardship.
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