Among the Myanmar traditional festivals, Kyaukse Elephant Festival is unique and famous. Particularly, people are attracted by the innovative elephant dance competitions presented at the festival.

Interview

Kyaukse elephant dance competitions include three variations traditional elephant dance, calf dance and decorated elephant dance.

Now, you can see the colourfully sequined and decorated elephant dance. The dance competition has to follow traditions.

First, it pays obeisance to the Pagoda and then others including the audience.

The competition starts with the signaling of the judge.

The competition goes on systematically and becomes exhilarating as the tempo rises.

Under the bright sun, the audience applause the competition with unwavering supports.

[Interview Aye Mon Kyaw]

I have never been to Kyaukse elephant festival. The elephant dance is so lively; we feel the elephants to be real. It is amazing. We really enjoy it. We think of visiting again in the years to come.

A man has to take place on the front side while another on the hind side of elephant figure and enact the elephant dance in unison. It is not really enjoy it. It is not really an easy act. More so, the dance has to be performed perfectly bearing the heavy elephant figure all along under the scorching sun of upcountry.

Coordination, precision-control, unity and perseverance of the participants are laudable.

The audiences are also true to the tradition. The competition is thronged to the finale.

Children and adults, all enjoy the elephant festival.

Kyaukse elephant festival is celebrated throughout the day from morning to evening.

The competition begins at the food of Shwe Tha Hlyaung Pagoda in the morning. After competing zestfully there, each and every team has to proceed to several cnetres throughout the town. Judges are also posted at those centres to scrutinize the performance.

Consequently the whole Kyaukse town is thronged with participants and audience of elephant dance competition throughout the day.

The festival draws visitors from villages in the vicinity and also from the 32-mile away Mandalay. The mood is really festive in Kyaukse at this time.

Beautiful elephant figurines, elephant dances are ever present in all directions.

The weather being cool and pleasant ushering in the open season, Kyaukse elephant festival is really a landmark festival at the propitious period. It surely will be so for years to come.