The Karen National New Year celebration, takes place on January 13, 2021. Also known as Karen Year of 2760, Pyarto 1st Waning, a brief ceremony will be held in specific areas, reported the Karen Ethnic Affair Minister, Saw Aung Myint Khaing.
The Minister noted the celebration of this important day should not be missed, but will be conducted in accordance with the public health considerations due to COVID-19.
“I am happy to see that Karen people are respecting the work of our former national leaders, and that our people continue to celebrate it. I also want to urge the Karen people to promote Karen language, education, business and community development,” said Minister Saw Aung Myint Khaing.
Gen. Saw Mu Tu Say Poe, Chair of the Karen National Union (KNU), wrote in a letter that Karen people should collaborate and promote Karen traits on a daily basis.
The Karen National Democratic Party (KNDP), also released a letter noting that the new government should find the fair and just solutions for the conflicts happening in the country. The letter expressed support for the establishment of a concrete federal union, implementation of a true democractic system, and called for lasting peace — all of which are the objectives of all ethnic peoples.
Brief ceremonies recognizing Karen New Year will be held in villages in the eastern area of the Attran River, Kyaikmayaw Township, noted U Htun Lwin, Vice-Chair of the Karen Literature and Culture Association.
“There won’t be any competition events. But there will be meal offerings as we Karen are buddhist, raising the Karen flag in respect of Karen leaders’ hard work and new meals after the harvest time. These are the three [activities] that we should do without failure,” said U Htun Lwin.
Karen National New Year coincides with the harvest of crops, since the Karen people primarily rely on farming.
The Karen New Year is typically celebrated in the countryside where Karen people reside, and the day is an official holiday dating back to before Myanmar’s independence.
