Chinlon experts perform at Kyauktawgyi Pagoda Festival.

A NON-COMPETITIVE chinlon (cane ball) demonstration was held at Mindhamma Hill in Insein township from February 15 to 19 as part of festivities at the Kyauktawgyi Pagoda Festival, said U Tin Myint, the head of the pagoda’s museum.

“We had 140 teams from all over Myanmar, with 28 teams performing each day as part of a special ritual to pay homage to the Buddha at the festival,” he said.
While most of the demonstrations featured six-man teams, performances were also given by particularly skilful solo players.

“We held this demonstration not only to pay respects to the Buddha at the festival but also to help keep the tradition of playing chinlon alive,” U Tin Myint said.

He said that because Kyauktawgyi Pagoda was not as famous as Shwedagon, more events have been added to the annual festival to attract pilgrims, including the chinlon demonstration and performances by traditional Myanmar orchestras.

“We can’t do without enjoying the charm of the music and art of playing chinlon together,” he said.

U Tin Myint said future festivals at the pagoda will feature more special events aimed at attracting more pilgrims. In additional to chinlon, this year’s festival also included special offerings to ancestors, a htamane festival and an offering of alms food to monks.

The centrepiece of Kyauktawgyi Pagoda is an 11-metre (37-foot) Buddha image made of alabaster. The stone was brought from Madaya in Mandalay Division and carved in Yangon. The image was completed in 2002.