The 58th anniversary celebrations of the Shan State were held
at the Shan Monastery (Aung Myay Bon That Kyaung) in Myangone
Township on February 7.
The Shan state, the biggest in Myanmar, is home to a variety
of ethnic groups and boasts its own tradition and culture.
Traditional music and dance began the celebration and the audience
of all ages joined in. The Shan long drums, gongs and martial
arts dancing made everyone feel homesick until they burst out
laughing at an Inlay song by Inlay Shan youths. It was a lively
and lovely debate between a lad and a lass and the dialogue that
went between the girls and the boys and their actions got a rapturous
ovation.
Although the performance went on until after midnight, the audience
was enjoying it too much to let it end even then.
