August 19, 2025
YANGON – The traditional Karen hand-tied ceremony was held on the morning of August 16 at Pyidaungsu Tairin Thar Village in Thaketa Township, Yangon.
At the ceremony, the Karen people from the Bago Yoma Hills region performed traditional dances—pot, drum, bamboo cutting—and songs, followed by a traditional Karen white silk ceremony (hand-tied ceremony).
During the white thread ceremony, young Karen men and women brought baskets containing seven types of hand-tied accessories, and their grandparents tied the white thread.
The Honorary Chairman of the Karen Literature and Culture Committee (Central), the Leader of the Central Advisory Group of the National Defense and Security Council, the Chief Minister of the Yangon Region Government, the Commander of the Yangon Region Military Command, the Deputy Minister, officials of the Yangon Region Government and departmental officials were also presented with white ribbons.
Then, the invited guests from the Ethnic Literature and Culture Association, other guests, and Karen literature teachers were given white thread.
The Karen traditional white silk wedding is a traditional Karen custom that can further unite and strengthen the Karen people in promoting national unity, improving the social life of the entire nation, and promoting and preserving Karen culture.
When the month of Wakhaung arrives, every Karen household, without breaking their vows, knits white yarn, and the entire village and area collectively knits white yarn. Since the knitting of white yarn takes place during the month of Wakhaung, it is called the Wakhaung month knitting of white yarn.