Welcome to Kayah State

A visit to Kayah State

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Saying about Kayah State, one may see the land lies in the hilly region. Kayah State is situated at the eastern part of Myanmar. Its capital is “Loikaw” which means “a separate hillock” in Shan dialect. It was known as “Thiri Dall” over 170 years ago. Then, it changed into “Kandaryawadi” and finally called “Loikaw”. Loikaw, which is 2950 feet above sea level is a plain surrounded by mountain ranges like natural wall.

There are many Buddha’s heritages such as stupas, pagodas and monasteries and Thiri Mingalar Taung Kawe` Zedi is the most significant one. Its rocky protrusions on the plain and the location of Thiri Mingalar Taung Kawe` Zedi is significant as Loikaw is a plain region surrounded by mountain ranges. According to geological survey, the rock layers of Kayah State are old-aged and it is located in a region of compact rock layer.

The earth of Kayah State has been emerged as a mass of ground from under the sea level since 280 million years ago as, pagodas and monasteries and Thiri Mingalar Taung Kawe` Zedi is the most significant one. Its rocky protrusions on the plain and the location of Thiri Mingalar Taung Kawe` Zedi is significant as Loikaw is a plain region surrounded by mountain ranges.

According to geological survey, the rock layers of Kayah State are old-aged and it is located in a region of compact rock layer. The earth of Kayah State has been emerged as a mass of ground from under the sea level since 280 million years ago. That’s why, Thiri Mingalar Hill is comprised of limestone.

You can view clearly the beautiful scene of Loikaw from this mountain. Thiri Mingalar Taung Kawe` Zedi was built over 100 years ago. At present, due to the constant all-round renovation of the government, religious buildings have been progressing there. Moreover, there is a plan to install a modern lift.

Another prominent pagoda grandly built as a pride of Loikaw is Hsu Taung Pyaye Myo Nan Zedi. It was built about 140 years ago. Myo Nan Zedi surrounded by Banyan and star-flower trees is sublime and glorious with the arts of Myanma handicrafts as the successive governments have been carrying out all round renovations. These handicrafts are amazing and breathtaking to everyone. So, Myo Nan Zedi is well-known and eminent not only in Kayah State but also in the whole of Myanmar. At present, the interest of the Buddha Sasana can be undertaken more than ever because a religious building (or) Sasana Beikman has been built near Myo Nan Zedi.

Kayah national tribes such as Kayah, Kayaw, Kayan Padaung, Yinnbaw, Gaykhoe, GayBar and ManuManaw have been residing in unity and unison together with Barmar, Shan, Pa-O and Inntha national races.

Especially, we can see the honest and sincere traditions and customs of local national races on the market day which is opened once in every 5 day. You can buy fresh and clean vegetables, fruits, local foods, utensils and colourful flowers on the market days. On Loikaw Market days, there are bustling and swarming alive with buyers and dealers from the villages of its vicinity since its early morning.

Most Kayan Padaung nationals live in Pampet village which is situated in Kayah State. Accordingly, Kayan Padaung tradition costume and their way of life are distinguished and interesting. One of the strange believes is that the longer the neck, the more beautiful the person. Therefore, Padaung woman when they come of age, wear bronze rings around the neck. That’s why, the Padaung has become a popular tribe of Myanmar.

You can observe Kayan Padaung nationals who are famous for their bronze rings on the market days. It is a good opportunity for those who interested in collecting souvenir to buy Kayan Padaung traditional hand-weaving cloths.

If you want to observe traditional culture of Kayah ethnic groups in detail you can pay a visit and observe at Kayah Cultural Museum, where various kinds of frog-drums, which are the symbols of Kayah national races, are on displayed. You can also study big and small of gongs, short and long drums and bamboo lute (Wa Byat Saung), which is a scarce traditional instrument.

In this cultural museum, traditional costumes, utensils, paintings and sculpture of Kayah national races are also displayed.

The Beauty of Kayah State

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Kayan (Pa Daung) life in Thailand Part 2

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Kayan (Pa Daung) life in Thailand Part 1

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Kayan (Yin Baw) Tradational Dance

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Kayan (Padaung) Tradational Dance

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Karenni, My Native Land

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VJ for Dee Khu Festival

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Kay Htoow Boe Festival at Shar Daw Township Part 8 (Year 2011)

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Kay Htoow Boe Festival at Shar Daw Township Part 7 (Year 2011)

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Kay Htoow Boe Festival at Shar Daw Township Part 6 (Year 2011)

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Kay Htoow Boe Festival at Shar Daw Part 5 (Year 2011)

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Kay Htoow Boe Festival at Shar Daw Township Part 4 (Year 2011)

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Kay Htoow Boe Festival at Shar Daw Township (Year 2011) Part 3

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Kay Htoow Boe Festival at Shar Daw Township ( Year 2011) Part 2

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Kay Htoow Boe Festival at Shar Daw Township (Year 2011) Part 1

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All minority ethnic group of Kayah Tradational Dance

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Chit Sayar Myay

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Kayaw Tradational Dance Songs

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Phu Ai Hou ( Kayan Theme Song)

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Pa Tama ( Kayaw Theme Song)

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Pha See (Kayah Theme Song)

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Myanmar Radio Live

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Kayah Tradation Wine

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A Kayah bride offers millet wine to her husband

The traditional Kayah wine is very important for Karenni people as they practice hospitality. They build friendships by drinking Kayah wine together. It is the main drink for Karenni people, who use the wine as herbal medicine. They treasure it as an important part of their cultural heritage.

The wine has no side effects since it is made by natural red corn, rice & Tasay (the main compound of wine). However, a health worker said it can cause diarrhea if measurement is wrong when preparing the mixture of yeast and boiled millet. As well, drinking too much can cause diarrhea.

Kayah traditional wine is used during a traditional spiritual celebration

Farmers are tired and hungry after they work in their farms for the whole day. So, they often drink the wine to renew their strength.

The wine was used when Karenni people defeated the defeat of the Yun people in battle more than century ago. Then they drank the wine and ate sticky rice packed with Dee Ku leaf. Today, young women provide the wine in bamboo cups to visitors during the annual celebration of the victory over the Yun.

As well, Karenni people offer rice, curries and traditional wine to visitors to the “Traeilu Festival”, held in April. And, many people drink the Kayah wine during water festival. Karenni people offer pork, chicken, rice and the traditional wine during annual spiritual sacrifices, too. They believe it can help them to be successful and keep safe from danger.

A Kayah Woman is enjoying tradational wine

Kayah wine cannot be kept more than 3 days, but the first stage liquid can be kept many days. That early stage millet wine is much better and more expensive.The wine can be made with rice instead of millet, but it is not considered to be as good. The millet wine is sweet and very tasty.

Some people like to drink fresh wine from the pot, by using a bamboo-pipe.

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Kayah Tradational Stuff