National races in Myanmar happily celebrate their traditional festival annually and Mogoke. Lihsu traditional New Year festival is one of them. Mogoke Lihsu tribes are living hand in hand with Bahma, Shan and Palaung nationals in Moegoke, Mandalay Division.

The time to celebrate the festival was designated by their ancestors and Lihsu nationals traditionally celebrate their New Year festival annually without fail. The aim of holding this festival is for the emergence of Lihsu artistes who can sing, compose and play their traditional music cherishingly, preserving their literature, traditional costumes and instruments, for the unity and all-round development of Lihsu nationals, for the new generations to be able to preserve their cultural heritages and for nurturing good citizens upon whom the state can rely.

The day is fully scheduled since morning when their Patron Sayadaw formally opens the arch way of the festival. After that they plant the New Year commemorative tree. While planting the tree, leaders of Lihsu nationals go round the tree three times. It is a traditional custom of ushering New Year festival. They do so to pray for their happiness and prosperity.

Lihsu nationals hold their New Year festival collectively under the aegis of Patron Sayadaw of Nyaung Thone Pin Pariyatti monastery in Mogoke and Chairman of New Year festival observance committee.

Baddanda Taezawtharra Biwunsa
Nyaung Thone Pin Pariyatti Monastery
Mogoke

We celebrate this festival annually. This year, I lead to hold this festival. I also led in holding such festival at Nan Ohn Mar village. Lihsu nationals have been preserving their traditional culture till today. So, this festival is held for new generations to become the ones who can preserve their culture and safeguard our country and to uplift their dynamism of patriotic spirit. You can observe their grabs and traditions at the New Year festival.

On the eve of New Year, Lihsu nationals usher their New Year festival merrily, by planting New Year commemorative trees in front of their houses. They believe that planting the tree in front of the house is the emblem of auspiciousness. The tree must not be removed before the designated day. They have to remove the tree on the last day of the festival.

In the morning of the festival day, Lihsu men and women merrily cook the meals unitedly and harmoniously to treat the guests. They generously serve the guests from far and near with rice accompanied by meat and marrow wrapped in leaves. You can witness sincere and honest Lihsu nationals, who are the high-leaders at the feast held merrily and collectively.

Dancing round the New Year tree is one of the traditional customs of Lihsu nationals. They believe that although life is tough, they are content to live their lives by dancing and entertaining unitedly and harmoniously.

On the festival night, Lihsu youths entertain the guests from far and near with their traditional melodious songs.

Without caring the cold of peaceful and pleasant town, Mogoke, they merrily celebrate their New Year festival. That’s, in deed, a lovely custom of Lihsu Nationals.