The United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken on behalf of the people and Government, has conveyed his best wishes to and solidarity with the people of Burma as they mark Burma’s New Year, Thingyan.
According to the statement released on Monday, Blinken said Thingyan is a time of renewal and an opportunity to reflect on the values of peace and prosperity, to which the people of Burma aspire in their own lives and for their country.
Thingyan is celebrated at the same time as many other New Years in the region. Thingyan historically marked the changing of the year by the sun moving from Pieces to Aries. The word Thingyan is thought to have derived from ancient Sanskrit and means ‘change’.
US Secretary said further that in the face of the military regime’s horrific campaign of widespread violence, the United States remains committed to leading the international effort to hold the regime accountable for the coup and abuses against civilians.
“We will continue to support the pro-democracy movement and those seeking an end to the crisis and striving for an inclusive, democratic future for Burma. At this difficult time, please accept our sincere regards for the people of Burma”, Blinken said.
Meanwhile, Thingyan is an ancient festival and it was first observed, when the movement of the sun into Aries would have been closer to the Vernal Equinox (March 21st) which marks the arrival of spring in the northern hemisphere.
Although, Thingyan has now been fixed in mid-April, its current date is a welcome position in the calendar as it occurs at the hottest time of the year in Myanmar and being a water festival, it is a great opportunity to cool down and get some relief from the sweltering heat.
If you are in Myanmar during Thingyan, prepare to get wet! Everyone is likely to get soaking as people roam around with buckets of water or hose, spraying water on anyone they can.
This tradition originates from the custom of washing away the bad luck and misfortune of the previous year, entering the new year cleansed from the past. Water cleansing is a custom common in many New Year festivals around the world.