KALAY-Naga Traditional New Year Festival-2020 will be held in Lahe Township, Naga Self-Administered Zone and Khamti Township in Sagaing Region, according to the sources.
“We, the Central Committee of Naga Literature and Culture, are going to celebrate the Naga traditional New Year festival. It is and 30th Anniversary so also it is Pearl Jubilee milestone. We will be holding the festival by dividing two events. One will be held in Khamti Township starting from January 14th to 16th and another will be held in Lahe Township. In Khamti Township, Naga Traditional Literature and Cultural Association (Central) will be organizing the event. In Lahe, the regional administration committee will host the festival. All villages in Kani Township will attend the festival. The number of dance troops may increase in this year festival. We informed the regional administration committee to celebrate 30th Anniversary of Naga New Year festival at the meetings held in 2017, 2018 and 2019. However, the meetings decided to hold the event in Lahe Township due to Administrative Mechanism. So, there will be two places for the event. The any government needs to hold our Naga Traditional New Year Festival,” said Aung Htut, Naga Literature and Culture (Central).
Under the sponsorship of the government, the Naga Traditional New Year Festival was held alternately in Lahe, Leishi and Nanyun Townships Naga Self-administered zone since the beginning of 1993.
“We, Naga Administration Committee, are going to celebrate the Naga New Year Festival in Lahe. The Literature and Culture Committee will be hosting the festival in Khanti Township. The festival will be held at the two places. We want to hold the festival at the same place. However, they[Literature and Culture Committee] wanted to hold the festival because the festival becomes the 30th Anniversary. There is no problem about holding of the festival at the two places. Likewise, the Myitkyina and Nangyun will hold the Naga Traditional New Year Festival,” said Kay Sai, Chairman of Naga Administrative Department.
The annual Naga New Year Festival, one of the most interesting festivals in Myanmar, takes place every January in the remote mountainous area that is home to the Naga ethnic tribe to pray for a good New Year and a bountiful harvest.
Some local and foreign visitors come to the remote area self-administered by the Naga people to enjoy the daily life culture of residents, discover the traditional Naga ceremonial pole, stay in a traditional tent and try local foods and rice wines.
