Welcome to the NAGA New Year Festival
Every January, as the monsoon clouds recede and the cold wind blows from the north, the Nagas celebrate the New Year. All the Naga clans living in the shadow of Mt.Saramati congregate alternatively at Leshi or Lahe or Namyun in the Naga Hills to celebrate this Festival for it is the time for celebration and to say thanks to Mother Earth who had provided a good harvest this year and also to pray for a bountiful New Year. But this Festival is also the time for the senior generations to meet old friends, re-live their younger days and exchange news or the boys to meet the girls and fall in love, to share the joy and happiness with friends and guests at this auspicious time. So, all are welcomed to share a celebratory cup of Naga Khaung Ye (rice spirit) together with our Naga cousins at the New Year Celebrations.
NAGAS: Proud People Living in Harmony with Nature
yanmar is a land of diverse ethnicity. High on the mountains of North West Myanmar are a proud group of people known to the world as Nagas, one of the 135 different ethic groups that live in Myanmar territory. Steep slops and even deeper ravines mark the land as blue hazy mountains retreat towards the horizon. A cold wind blows out the North during the winter months and summers are not hot in the Naga Hills. The streams, fed by monsoon rains, leap over huge boulders or hiss quietly beside quaint villages. The climate may be harsh but for the Nagas the bright lights of the city has no appeal. They would rather live a life close to nature.
They are hunters first of all. A Naga legend tells that Man is born at the same time with tiger and the greatest honor for a Naga hunter is to be known as a tiger killer. Hunters would wear the fangs and claws of their victims to show their powers. Also men folks wear fantastic headdresses of colorful hornbill feathers, beads and wild boar tusks. Swords, spears and buffalo hide shields are other compulsory items in the costumes of the Naga men folks.
The women folks have also developed a textile design know locally as the Naga design. City ladies greatly prize the htameins (sarongs), dyed with natural dyes and decorated with distinctive patterns of Naga design. Bright red and black scenes and festivities or record of important events in the life of the clan are sometime woven into the fabric. But these blankets are not fashion items worn stylishly thrown over one shoulder but also necessary to keep out the intense cold wind blowing over the Nag Hills.
The Naga life styles also depend on nature and the seasons They are dependent on mother nature to provide them with food and the forest for their daily needs. They live in small communities according to their age old customs and traditions. There are more than 49 separate small Nag clans and also many villages are on high inaccessible mountain tops. Consequently, many of them had evolved not only their own unique customs and traditions but also dialects. But all celebrate the New Year together: a distinctive blend of unity in diversity.
The Naga New Year falls in the middle of January after the harvest. The people are ten free and happy with plenty of food. It is the tradition of the Naga people to share their joy and happiness with friends and guests at this auspicious and thanks giving for mother nature that has granted them the bountiful harvest.
Now under the guidance of the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, Diamond Palace Travel & Tours Co.,Ltd Is proud to welcome international visitors to come and celebrate this unique Festival together with the hospitable Naga people and experience the true spirit of the people living in harmony with nature.
Naga Festival Tour Packages (Exclusive Agent)
Diamond Palace Travels & Tours Company, license by the Ministry of Hotel & Tourism to operate package tour to the Naga Festival every years. Popularly known as the Land of Festivals because of the countless festivals that take place year round, Myanmar is still a country for discovering remote tribes. Each January the Naga ethnic tribe’s New Year Festival takes place in the far northern region of Myanmar. This festival brings all Naga tribes of the entire region together to celebrate their harvest and pray for a good new year. Stay in traditional tent and try local foods and rice wines. Hear ethnic songs and participate in the New Year ceremony. Naga Festival Myanmar is the best opportunity for you to visit the remote Naga region and to experience one of Asia’s last authentic events of traditional culture and custom.
Naga Traditional New Year Festival Annually Jan 10 to Jan 18
Namyun
Day 1 – Depart Ygn – Mdy – Myitkyinar. Attend Kachin Traditional
Jan 10 New Year Festival (Manaw) and leave for Tanine in 4×4 Vehicles
Day 2 – Jan 11 Myitkyinar – Tanine – 4×4 Vehicles – Ledo Road
Day 3 – Tanine – Namyun – 4×4 Vehicles
Jan 12 Seeing Airport at Shin Bway Yan
Day 4 – Jan 13 Namyun – Sightseeing around Naga Villages
Day 5 – Namyum – Participate at the Ceremony of erecting the Naga
Jan 14 Ceremonial Pole & Sightseeing
Day 6 – Nanyum – Opening Ceremony of Naga New Year Festival & Big
Jan 15 Bonfire Dance at night.
Day 7 – Jan 16 Nanyum – Tanine – 4×4 Vehicles
Day 8 – Jan 17 Tanine – Myitkyinar – Myitsone – Myitkyinar
Day 9 – Jan 18 Myitkyinar – Mdy – Ygn – Flight
LESHI
Day 1 – Depart Ygn – Mdy – Homalin – Htamanthi – Leshi
Jan 12 ( by flight, by boat, by car )
Day 2 – Arrive at Naga Festival Ground & Sightseeing
Jan 13 at Naga villages
Day 3 – Participate at the Ceremony of erecting the Naga
Jan 14 Ceremonial Pole & sightseeing.
Day 4 – Opening Ceremony of Naga New Year Festival &
Jan 15 Big Bonfire Dance at night.
Day 5 – Depart Leshi – Htamanthi – Homalin – Mdy – Ygn
Jan 16
LAHE
Day 1 – Depart Ygn – Mdy – Khamti – Sinthei – Lahe
Jan 12 ( by flight, by boat, by car )
Day 2 – Arrive at Naga Festival Ground & Sightseeing
Jan 13 at Naga villages
Day 3 – Participate at the Ceremony of erecting the Naga
Jan 14 Ceremonial Pole & Sightseeing
Day 4 – Opening Ceremony of Naga New Year Festival &
Jan 15 Big Bonfire Dance at night
Day 5 – Depart Lahe – Sinthei – Khamti – Mdy – Ygn
Jan 16 Leaving from Khamti to Yangon/Mandalay