Summer Vibes in Myanmar (Culture and resources)
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Thiri Khit Oo (NP News) - April 8
The sun shines over Myanmar with the most brightness. The leaves from trees fall on ground and dry. Now, the leaves are falling again on the ground. Yes, the summer is coming. The sky is totally clear without clouds. The ground is getting dehydrated.
In central Myanmar, the temperature ranges from 37ºC (95ºF) to 40ºC (104ºF) in summer. The hottest month is April. Therefore, all people visit other places such as beaches and islands in lower Myanmar, to avoid the weather’s heat.
The climate in the lower Myanmar is airy and dry along the Taninthayi Region. The most beautiful beaches and islands exist along Ayeyawady Region and Taninthayi Region. 13 beaches along the Ayeyawady Region are attracting tourists and the natural beauty of islands and archipelagos along the Tanintharyi Region are also magnetic for international tourists.
Most people from central Myanmar travel to the mentioned destinations just for a short trip or long to enjoy the fair weather and nature. Nature blesses Myanmar to own different natural beauties. You can relax at the beaches wearing sunglasses, drinking coconut water, and eating plates of seafood.
In Myanmar’s summer season, the beaches and islands flock with domestic travelers and tourists and are full of shore activities. The crystal-clear water can show the coral beauties with colorful fishes of different species. This view fulfills the beauty of under marine world of Myanmar’s archipelagos.
At night, the sky above the oceans is full of stars. Some hotels provide romantic dinners and some activities such as bonfires and entertainment.
In addition, Myanmar people celebrate festivals in summer, especially in April. Of course, the Atar Thingyan Water Festival was originally derived from the victory of Devas King in the war with Arsi. The festival has been traditionally held since the Bagan era. Thingyan means “changing over”, therefore, it is the festival of Myanmar New Year. In the festival, people splash with water to feel cold and peaceful in the summer. Nowadays, people modernize the festival with pavilions entertaining with music and dance troupes. The festival is held for four or five days. Sadly, the Myanmar Thingyan Festival was not listed as a world heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
In summer, yellow Padauks flowers bloom beautifully with good smells. Padauk is the symbol of Thingyan Festival meaning “peaceful”. During the festival, the traditional foods called Mont Lone Yay Paw are made and offered.
From the point of fashion view, people mostly wear cotton clothes with pale and bright colors in different designs. When people go out, they wear masks, and sun cream for their skin, and use umbrellas for shades to protect from sunburn.
The dates of the Thingyan Festival are observed as public holidays throughout Myanmar and are part of the summer holidays for schools.
No matter how much the weather is hot, Myanmar people never care and always have fun with the mentioned festivals and activities at beaches and islands. Therefore, Myanmar welcomes you all to enjoy the summer vibes at beaches and islands and the Thingyan Festival.