Thing-gyan

I was at the Silver Spring Burmese Temple for the annual Thing-gyan (water festival) this past weekend. I've been going there since I was twelve. Hundreds of Burmese from DC-MD-VA area come out and celebrate this special occasion each year with food, music, water play and much more. Some even come from farther places to perform or just to socialize with friends. For us who have been away from home for so long, this is such a special treat. Even though most attendees were Burmese, we all came from different backgrounds. There were students, politicians, Buddhists, professionals, activists, children, ethnic minorities, Christians, refugees, and the list goes on. Some were passionate. Some were hypocrites and betrayers. Many were ignorant of the truth. Many more gave lukewarm support to the liberalization of their own country. My point is, despite our differences, we all gathered at this particular place for one reason and one reason only--we want to experience the feeling of being home. No matter who we are, we all long to be home. As that thought came across my mind, I became angry that I was forced to leave home. I also wanted to ask this question: why aren't we all fighting for the right to live in our homeland?

Now I want to share more personal thoughts...

Walking into the festival was like returning home after being away from it for so long. People were talking in Burmese. I can smell mon-hin-gar like it was in my mom's kitchen. The loud Thing-gyan songs were played in the background. It was such a joyous and warm feeling.

Back in Burma, on the morning of thing-gyan day, boys would stop by my house with padauk pan flowers that they personally climbed and picked. Our neighbors would bring mote-lone-yae-paw (a special dish) to us. My friends and I would play water all day for three days. It was my favorite holiday and it still is. Because I long for the day to celebrate Thing-gyan in my home country, I am going to fight for it. What about you?

Chasingfreedom,

~myatnoe