Now, what you are beholding is “The Inaly Lake” which is the second largest inland lake of Myanmar, lying 2,900 ft above sea-level. It is situated in Nyaung Shwe Township in Southern Shan State. The area of its surface is about (60) square miles in the rainy seasons. Inthas’ Traditional Boat Race is resoundingly held on such broad expanses of water surface of Inlay Lake in September annually. Many participants usually take part in this boat-race.

In September every year, Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda Festival is also grandly held in this region. It is the most crowded festival which is exalted by those residing in Inlay Lake. Inthas’ Traditional Boat Race is also held at this pagoda festival.

Only the team, which contributed labour as a pulling boat to the holy raft when the Phaungdaw Oo Buddha Images are being reverently carried around the villages in Inaly Lake to receive worship, is allowed to take part in the boat race.

The events of Inthas’ Traditional Boat Race are: Yarkyaw Boat Race which includes a hundred of rowers and two men who bale out water: Forty-six-paddle Boat Race which includes (46) rowers and a man who bales out water: and Twenty-six-paddle Boat Race which includes (26) rowers and a man who bales out water.

This is a striking characteristic to see the participants rowing as their tradition, standing and mainly relying on their legs.

The programmes of events are made by drawing lots when the participant racing-boats arrive on the designated occasion.

Inthas’ Traditional Boat Race is held with a system in which the defeated teams have to be dismissed from the race.

Only the two racing-boats are to take part in one event. If there are three participant racing boats, they have to compete in a round-robin went, and the prizes are respectively awarded to the teams according to their wins. If they have the same winning plays the first and second prizes are decided by drawing lots.

The race starts when the dragon’s crest-shaped stems of the two racing-boats are standing at the same line of the start.

At that time, only the man who will pull the finishing line and the helmsman are to stand, and the other participants on the boat are to sit, putting the paddles on their laps.

The referee from the starting line start the race when the referee from the finishing line show him the signal.

As soon as the referee gives a signal, all participants have to stand up and starts the race.

While competing, the two teams aren’t to disturb each other.

If the man who pulls the finishing line falls into the water while crossing the finishing line; or a participant falls into the water before the racing-boat crosses beyond the finishing line; or the paddle of a participant falls into the water, this team is judged to lose.

If the two teams pull the finishing line at the same time, “win” is judged by measuring the length of the finishing line they got.

If the first man who pulls the finishing line fails to do so, the second and third men are allowed to pull it. But, if the third man also fails, the rest aren’t allowed to pull the finishing line further. At that time, the three men who pull the finishing line of the other racing-boat can do it, that team is judged to win.

It doesn’t allow any team to cross the finishing line in the reverse direction.

The team can be dismissed from the race if they overturn their boat without any reason in accidentally.

Participating villages select the referees to make fair judgment.

They must be skillful and have experience in Traditional Boat race.

The referees decide the win and fail according to the rules and regulations of race.

These rules and regulations of Inntha Traditional Boat Race is traditionally abided by till today.

Round robin event of Inntha traditional regatta festival is resoundingly held at the central pandal in the water surface.

Now, you are witnessing round-robin events of Yarkyaw boat-race.

After round-robin event of Yarkyaw boat-race, 46- paddle boat-race is continued.

Semi final and final events of Inntha traditional regatta festival is held grandly at the central pandal on the day where Phaungdaw Oo Buddha Images are being reverently carried around the NyaungShwe Township to receive worship.

Now, you’re watching the final event of Inntha Traditional women 26-paddel boat-race. MinneKauk village team and InneHtaungGyi village team competed with perseverance.

Now, you’re enjoying the final event of men 46- paddle boat-race.

Afterwards, Yarkyaw boat-race which is the grand event among Inntha traditional boat-race is continued.

This view is enchanting if over a hundred of people row the boat in unison.

By the way, a Myanmar expression “TetNyiLetNyi” which literally means “paddles and hands are in unison” is come from such boat-races.

The winning or losing in Inntha Traditional Boat Race also depends on paddling along their own route. In a narrow creek the water route and position of shore is very important in the race.

Whatever the condition of the water route, the wide and narrow of the creek and position of the shore may be, if the participants paddle unitedly and systematically the team will surely grasp the victory. So the successful momentum of this Inthas’ Traditional Boat Race seems to vibrate up to the apex of the sky.