History of Pa.Oh National Race

There were 150 dynasties in our Pa.Oh Kingdom of Thaton. Among then, 147 dynasties were ruled by Pa.Oh King. The rest were Mon King. Among the dynasties, King Thuriyasanda and King Manuha were very famous in religion, social, economic. Actors during King Thuriyasanda’s reign, his Kingdom was famous and developed in religion, economic, social and administrative. He was born at the same time when the sun and the moon were both shining brightly.

In other way, he was born with the sun setting and raising the full moon of “Tabaung”. And he build “Shwe Sa Yan” temple which can see and pay homage until now in “Thaton” the capital of “Suvannabumi”. So the old people regarded that the birthday of King Thuriyasanda is as their national day by acknowledging the gratitude of “King Thuriyasanda”. On that day, they celebrate the festival every year. The festival also is the festival of meeting of their relatives. During the festival, they go round in the area, all villagers come and participate this festival.



There are many dance, modern dance, traditional dance, sing the song, story telling and choosing the beauty ladies during festival. The singers also entertain the audients.

During the reign of King “Manuhar”, his country was very famous in religion. He had “triple canon”. King Anauratha heard from “Shin Arahan” that King Manuhar had “triple canon”. He sent his boy to ask “triple cannon” from king “Manuhar”. Manuhar didn’t give it and was defeated in the war and was brought to Bagan. And he built the temple. When he built the temple, he prayed that “in the next life, may he be get a free from one’s slave”. And then by construction very tight in the temple, he would like people to realize how tight in te place he had to stay in confinement. Since then, in Thaton there was no one who ruled Thaton people transfer to lower Myanmar, Daltha, Southern Shan state. From since then, Pa.Oh literature was deteriorated with King Manuhar.

Handicraft and Costume

They weave their own turbans and bags. Among the handicraft, goldsmith is very famous. The have their own costume. For the men, it consists turban, white shirt, black colored jacket and baggy trousers. For the ladys, garment it consists five pieces such as blouse, jacket, longyi, that covers the kneels and wears the turban and two hair pins. By wearing like this, it represents the Zawgyi (Necro-mancer) and Dragon (mythological creatures). They believed that they are derived from Zawgyi and Dragon.

Marriage Style

Pa.Oh’s marriage style is very interesting. First the young man’s parent go to inform to the young lady’s parent for the hand of their daughter. Lady parents take four or five days to discuss with their daughter’s wish. And the young man deposits to the young with gold. When the lady agrees to the marriage, they arrange for wedding. According to the custom, the wedding needs hands of banana and other things. They make the cotton thread to wear bride and groom.

Arranging for funeral

There is no complication about for funeral. It he/she is a commoner, the villagers have to take care for funeral. And the body is put a couple of night at home. And have to make taking refuge and dropping water before buried. Some corpse are covered with the mat and then burned. After 2 or 3 days, have to offer soon or share the merit for the person who passed away.

Religion

The main religion of Pa.Oh is Buddhist. Most of festivals concerned with religion.

The flag and National day

The flag consists of four colors such as blue, red, green and white. Blue represents peace, red represents brave and courage, green represents to be cool and white color is a star which represents it is consists among the starts. Pa.oh’s national day is “Tabaung Full moon day” which is the birthday of “King Thuriyasanda”.

Musical Instrument

Most of the festivals are concerned with religion. In general, they hold no invitation ceremonies, Buddha images offering ceremonies and recitation ceremonies. During ceremonies, they use their musical instruments.

There are three types in Pa.Oh’s instrument such as the huge gong group consists of various sizes of gong, two cymbals without drums for old people, the other names are the short drum group and the long drum group. They play their musical instruments in various ceremonies and festivals. There are many festivals. Among them, “Lu-Phaing” festival is very famous and popular. It means “rocket” festival which cerebrated during the month of April to July near the pagoda. The aim of by cerebrating like this, it is brought good rains during the planting and harvesting. On the other hand, the purpose of making like this, it is shown the unity and friendship among the people of different villages.

On behalf of our Pa.Oh people or nationality, I’m very proud to have a chance to write like this.

Reference(1) : Pa.Oh's tradition and culture
written by Mg Khun Nwe.

Reference(2) : Pa.Oh's history books deliver by
Pa.Oh's historical research association

Reference(1) : Taung Gyi University yearly Magazine
(2002-2003)(Nang Mya Htwe).