Astrologers are also invited along to give blessings at this special time of year.
The origin of Thingyan is from Hinduism—the new year signified by the Princess Devi passing on the the Brahma's head to the next Devi. The Brahma, the supreme eternal deity whose essence makes up the cosmos, was considered so powerful that if his head were thrown into the sea it would dry up immediately. If it were thrown onto land it would be scorched. If it were thrown up into the air the sky would burst into flames—hence the head is protected by the hands of the princess and passed on year after year.
Thingyan-sa, the annual almanac broadsheet predicting what lies ahead in the coming year, which is published by the state-sponsored Myanmar Calendar Advisory Member, reads this year that Burma will be burdened with sorrow.
“The Devi who will accept Brahma's head this year is crying,” San Zarni Bo, one of Burma's leading astrologers, told The Irrawaddy. “It means that the country will be sad if something changes this year.”
The Brahma's head, often whispered by Burmese to be the symbol of the military junta, seems to be giving grief to the weeping princess. Perhaps she is finding it like a “hot potato” with no one to pass it to.
What I mean is, the word that you tried to explain and the problem that you tried to solve looks so sweet.
But, can you do as your word? Can you wear your traditional clothes every day?
I know it is impossible.
You only condemn English neo-colonialists (please don't use WE, because your dark heart appeared in there)
Ngal Hriang Wrote:
18/04/2010
Tatmataw has been good in doing this kind of dirty things. Ask Khin Nyunt and he will tell you what happened in the past and you will understand it, Tide. Your boss is the source of all crimes in Burma.
Tide Wrote:
18/04/2010
Why isn't NLD condemning the explosion? The NLD, as a People Party proclaimed itself, never condemns such events in the past as well. Is it behind the plot/the explosion?
They also never send condolences to Nargis victims, too.
Sweet Basil Wrote:
16/04/2010
Where's the news about the bombs? I'm waiting. Are you sleeping?
SAM Wrote:
16/04/2010
Watered down and bombed out.
Why is the Irrawaddy still on holiday?
Start reporting!
Dr.Myo.THI-HA Wrote:
15/04/2010
Regarding the some comments to Irrawaddy,
Irrawaddy is an independent org by standing itself. No point to blame him.
Today .. within the globaliztion frame, colorism is not applicable and reliable to world people, unless you are a professional.(either white or blue workers)
Blaming to skin colour is meaningless. See example recently in US president B.Obama (not a white skin)
I'm a burmese and I struggled by myself to be professional in order to reach the level of competition to white people (Western/EU/ US). Finally I succeed.
In my profession, I supervise the many/ different western natioanls who are well educated from world famous university.
These people never thought I'm a poor Burmese. All respect my professional..
So you are not correct absolutely.
Do you want Irrawaddy to issue the news only "Solider & Pagodas" like is New light of Myanmar?
Readers expect to see some entertainments from Irrawaddy...
Myanmar Patriot 4 UMPF Wrote:
15/04/2010
tocharian Wrote: 14/04/2010
tocharian proves no point at all other than that he is very stupid.
As regards "Even at the more primitive level: why complain about "white people" when "Burmese high society" prefers "lighter chinese skin colour". As a "primitive burmese man "I prefer blacks! I feel closer to Africans and Europeans than to "light-skinned Chinese."
How dare you insult us Burmese. You purport to support our cause for freedom from military repression;now you show your true nature, - primitive. If you feel closer to Africans, go live in Congo, Rwanda or Somalia, or Zimbabwe!
Europeans? Well, a person of your class and background can only fit in at gutter level, certainly not in high society, or even in middle class: they can detect you as an ignoramous in 10 seconds. You are really pathetic. No wonder you supported the traitor woman. You must be lost and lonely in the materialist white society. Neither fish nor fowl. You are primitive Burmese? Were you born or did you become one? Think hard.
Myanmar Patriot 4 UMPF Wrote:
15/04/2010
Dr.Myo.THI-HA Wrote: 12/04/2010
1."All the girls (let's say 95%) are in Yangon want to meet Nay Shwe Thwe Aung to be as their boyfriend". Girls considered him as Prince of HM King Than Shwe.
COMMENT: Are they prostitutes? How low can they sink. On the one hand, NLD and traitor woman are best; how come now the girls want NayShweThanAung? Where are their values: honesty, integrity, intelligence,service to community, loyalty to country? A society without values is rubbish.
2.George Than Setkyar Heine,have you forgotten how grandson of Fargaung ShuMaung behaved?
3.tocharian Wrote: 14/04/2010
"Well hypocritical "Burmese High Society" is. It's nice to see all these propaganda smears about "western neo-colonists" in "Myanmar Ahlin" etc. and at the same time seeing children of generals and their cronies "yearning" to go to Harvard Business School.
COMMENT: 2 seperate issues - English neo-colonialists are reality.
Complain about "white people"? Are you stupid. We only condemn English neo-colonialists
Myanmar Patriot 4 UMPF Wrote:
15/04/2010
We are so ashamed to see that only 2 out of the 5 pictures highlight our beautiful Burmese/ Myanmar culture and tradition. The others depict low life Western culture: a fat Burmese girl in low cut sweat shirt and jeans- so shamelessly unBurmese: and the punk!
Do try to understand that in the west only low class people resort to sub-culture.
Whatever they say about egalitarianism, there are still differences: the masses are still low class despite their material propserity (economic function), dress low class and think low class; now the media, particularly television, run by some low class origin start using the 'f' word and promote junk culture in the West; corrupting the morals; the West has lost all values, never mind democracy and civil liberties; people are miserable.
So very sad, unintelligent young Burmese, in defiance of SPDC, adopt thses vile aspects of Western culture.
George Than Setkyar Heine Wrote:
14/04/2010
That brat grandson of Than Shwe's would be a gonna even though his grandpa is still around once he falls afoul of a hound like him. He is just a nobody like his grandpa and a phoney acting like a king today at Naypyidaw.
Likewise spoiled sons of Tay Za's also would fare no better than Than Shwe's brat. The fact that they are running wild like today proved beyond any doubt that there is no law and order much less rule of law in Burma.
When young offspring act like savages you can guess what sort of parents they have and their upbringing as well.
tocharian Wrote:
14/04/2010
Z
Well it does prove my point how hypocritical "Burmese High Society" is. It's nice to see all these propaganda smears about "western neo-colonists" in "Myanmar Ahlin" etc. and at the same time seeing children of generals and their cronies "yearning" to go to Harvard Business School etc.
Even at the more primitive level: why complain about "white people" when "Burmese high society" prefers "lighter chinese skin colour". As a "primitive burmese man" I prefer blacks! I feel closer to Africans and Europeans than to "light-skinned Chinese."
Myanmar Patriot 4 UMPF Wrote:
13/04/2010
We are not interested in the fly-by-night new rich; gossips may be only be of interest in highlighting how our poor people are being robbed.
We are interested in service to society and state. We are interested in promoting values, not ostentation. By and large, overwhelming majority of our people, farmers, workers, teachers, monks etc, are noble at heart, being Buddhist. We treasure Buddhist values. We want all those in position of power and privilege to respect these values; we want them to understand 'noblesse oblige' as explained by our king HM King Shwebomin II.
We can redistribute wealth by means of taxation once government/ executive/ state power is distributed to wider sections of Myanmar society through elections; remember, we will still need guidance of our king.
We mooted the idea of Privy Council but ambitious and ignorant political activists did not have a clue about its role; all they ever talked about was self-determination, democracy and federalism.
Z Wrote:
13/04/2010
tocharian;
I agree with you. Its entertaining and informative but you just proved my point. Is Irrawaddy a tabloid magazine? a gossip magazine?
Dr.Myo.THI-HA Wrote:
12/04/2010
To "Z" and "Aung Lin"
I disagree with your comment on Irrawaddy.
I believe "Irrawaddy" because most of the information are >85% correct. Irrawaddy is not cheating to the readers.
Only the guy "Nay Shwe Thwe Aung (lovely grandson of Gen Than Shwe)" Doesn't like Phyo Tay Za. But rest of other General sons accompanied with Phyo Tay Za. The other richest family members of sons (Chinese/ Indian half Burmese) stay far away from those guys.
As a rumour said that Lt.Gen Myint Shwe and Maj. Gen Win Myint are going to escort "Nay Shwe Thwe Aung" alterantively.
"All the girls (let's say 95%) are in Yangon want to meet Nay Shwe Thwe Aung to be as their boyfriend". Girls considered him as Price of HM King Than Shwe.
But the rest of public want to know about this guy "Nay Shwe Thwe Aung" what will happen after his grandfather ousted power after this election.
When I was in Yangon, I went to DJ bar frequently. See that very dangerous situation with those guys.
Aung Lin Wrote:
12/04/2010
You got it wrong, Phyo Tayza and the general's grandson don't get along. They don't like each other. Please get better sources on this.
They usually go to DJ bar. I suggest you take photos or videos there. Opening a bottle there can cost up to 120$ for gold label; only very rich kids open bottles there every night.
Myanmar Patriot 4 UMPF Wrote:
12/04/2010
To Z,
Yes, we do notice that. But all things considered, given the resources, Irrawaddy is doing a good job although they keep censoring bits about our king HM King Shwebomin II.
We don't mind because our king has direct access to all heads of state. You think we are joking or being a laughing stock?
Wait and see.
Thibaw was not blood royal. Neo-colonialists are trying to resurrect his commoner grandson as Royal Prince- what rubbish; they can fool all people some time, some people all the time, but not all people all the time.
Will you believe if we tell you that English remnant and neo-colonialists have been conspiring against Burma and our king King Shwebomin II? All will be revealed in time.
Suffice it to say for the moment, they were supporting the Kayin rebels since 1947. Thailand accepted them as a buffer those years, but not anymore; we now have ASEAN. Our king wrote one year before Burma became a member to accept Burma as a new member. We know everything.
tocharian Wrote:
12/04/2010
Well, just to contradict Z's comments, I find that gossip and rumours, especially about the ruling class of a country, can be very informative. Modern society is based a lot on social networking, using facebook, twitter, etc. I actually find it informative (and entertaining at the same time) to check out facebook accounts of rich Burmese kids that go to school in Singapore, like the children of Tay Za.
Most famous Burmese entertainers are also on facebook and it would be interesting to make a little research on "connections" amongst the "Rich and Famous" of Burma.
As I've always said, it's an oligarchy with Chinese or half-Chinese at the top of the food chain. By the way, it's similar in Thailand (most of the red shirts have darker skin colour).
Z Wrote:
11/04/2010
I enjoy reading articles on Irrawaddy.org. It is quite informational and interesting.
But now I feel as though you have drifted away from what you intend to be. As a website claiming to cover news in SEA and Burma, you need to check your sources. I feel as though most articles of late are based on rumors and gossip. You need to verify your sources to regain credibility that you have lost. Just my personal opinion.
COMMENTS (18)
E-MAIL
PRINT
