Myanmar Spring Chronicle – November 07 Scenes
MoeMaKa, November 08 2022
Tazaungmone Full Moon Festival during the revolution
There have been various opinions on social media regarding the Tazaungdaing Festival, the second month after the Thadingyut Festival at the end of the rainy season, during the spring revolution that came almost 2 years ago. These include the celebration of the festival, Satuditha feasts in the streets and neighborhoods, donations and offerings like panthagu (discarding money or things for someone to pick up) and stories of people throwing small bags of money along the road and picking them up for fun.
Beginning from the past few years, this practice of discarding or giving away people panthagu with money and food products in some places and on the highways, has become an annual practice in some cities. This is partly for fun, but if you think from a different point of view, it can be assumed that because of hardships in living, people are desiring such a few thousand money as charity badly. This disparity between the rich and the poor has existed since before the outbreak of Covid-19, and after the Covid-19 disaster and the military coup, the difficult lives with so many hardships have increased. This is one of the reasons why these practices are becoming more widespread.
Some people don’t like this practice of discarding cash on the road because they consider it a form of giving that insults people’s dignity. When helping someone living in hardship, helpers should understand how to give help in a way that does not harm the dignity of the recipient. They say that this is a traditional custom, but on the other hand, there is the opinion that this type of behavior should not be encouraged because this is just like a way of giving away to beggars.
These are seen in big cities such as Yangon, Mandalay, Bago and Mawlamyine, and it is unheard of to hold such events in cities where armed conflicts are raging. It is also unheard of that the Tazaungdaing Festival is held in cities such as Monywa, Myitkyina and Pakokku. In some villages of Sagaing Division, Upper Magway Division, Karenni State, and Karen State, people still have to avoid the danger of armed attacks, arson attacks, and killings even during the full moon of Tazaungmone. So, it is sure that they won’t be able to enjoy this festive season.
As for the people of the city, they haven’t been able to hold this event in the past 3 years due to the consequences of the Covid-19 disaster and the military coup. But this year they are holding the festival, looking at it as a way to relax, and on the other hand, during the Tazaungmone full moon holiday, they are looking at it as a at the local tourist business and a economic opportunity to sell goods. As domestic job opportunities are gradually becoming scarcer, business activities related to travel and recreation have provided employment and income for a certain number of people.
In the opinion of some people and those who were deeply involved in the Spring Revolution, there is criticism that they are holding festivals without looking at the thousands of people who sacrificed their lives in the Spring Revolution and participated in anti-military movements. People have said that they did not participate in any kind of event, such as Thingyan, Thadingyut and New Year until last year and the beginning of this year. But now there are also concerns about whether people have abandoned participation in campaigns aimed at preventing them from becoming unenthusiastic about the revolution.
Just as the people supported the spring revolution, they have endured for years. However, after more than a year and when almost two years have arrived, it will be necessary for the organizers of the Spring Revolution to understand that people have to work regularly, to find employment opportunities for their livelihood and their participation in seasonal events, and convince them accordingly.
Instead of blaming, it should be organized, and people should be encouraged not to attend events and festivals that directly benefit the military council politically and economically. On the other hand, it should not be threatened in any way, such as by bombing. This does not mean that the bombings were carried out by urban guerrilla forces. I would like to say that there should be a clear announcement and promises that urban guerrilla groups that are united with the public will not carry out these kinds of threats, such as targeted attacks and explosions on places where civilians gather, such as celebrations. If not, some propaganda may emerge blaming urban guerrillas for incidents that might happen in such civilian gatherings.
I think we can now consider that the revolution is a revolution that will take months and years rather than a revolution that will be victorious today and tomorrow. It is also necessary to convince the public with appropriate methods to move forward with this long-term struggle.