Mandalay, the second capital city of Myanmar has many famous
things to take pride. It's the old royal city grand with the
real past images and the heritage of Myanmar traditional
culture.
All traditions die-hard and Mandalay takes pride
particularly and keeping the right Myanmar traditions.
Traditional festivals are still observed there. One of those
events is Waso Chinlon Festival and it has been observed for
over 70 years. And in 2003, Diamond Jubilee of the festival
is planned to be celebrated.
The beauty of Waso Chinlon Festival is that Chinlon players,
while participating festival, they offered flowers, lights
and Waso robes to the Maha Myat Muni Buddha Image Pagoda
with the collected money they get from playing Chinlon if
one wish to see the superb play, he (or) she can see it at
the Mandalay Waso Chinlon Festival every year.
A superb play accompanied by Myanma traditional orchestra is
very entertaining and lively presentation of the
accommodator.
Once, one man played cane-ball but now- a- days, young and
old and foreign visitors also joining in the game. It is
good for health, enjoyment, cooperation and individual
responsibility.
Though Chinlon is the sport, it is also presented as
entertainment, a kind of art as social event with the
accompaniment of Myanmar Orchestra.
Chinlone, the traditional cane-ball sport is originally a
Myanmar sport. But it is on the wane today, in fact, Chinlon
is the good sport it required one to express performance.
Chinlone or cane ball is traditionally Myanmar National
Sport. It is played by all, young or old with no bearing on
gender. Chinlone is good for physical, mental and moral
fitness. It is an excellent form of exercise, demanding
physical strength and a quick mind.
The play must not stop or move out of the area during the
specified time. Basic principles required Chinlone to be
kept only six vital points namely, the close, the soles, the
heels, the knees, the inside and outside of feet, called as
Chae Kwin and Pha Myat in Myanmar. Variations in style and
methods are accepted, however, within the basic principles.
July, August, Rain and Flood goes a Burmese saying. July -
Waso brings in the Lenten season. It is a time for sobriety,
self-denial and contemplation. Monsoon is a busy paddy
plantation season and 85% oftotal population is being rural
and live on cultivation. Monsoon makes less activity in
open-air celebration. Marriages are taboo during the lent.
This has nothing whatsoever to do with any religious concept
and it is probably originated from the way of life, a busy
time for farmer and it is more convenient to celebrate
weddings after the harvest is safely home.
