3 September 2024
On 30 August, Kengtung Township, Shan State (East), hosted the swing-riding festival, a traditional celebration of the Akha people.
The Akha ethnic group celebrates about twelve traditional festivals, several of which are well-known, including the swing-riding festival, the Khar Htaung Festival, and the Red Egg Festival.
Khar Htaung Festival will celebrate the New Year, and the Red Egg Festival will honor elders during the Thingyan Festival. Akhas from Myanmar and people from other countries attend these festivals.
The Akha people, a hill tribe, have been farming for generations. To preserve their cultural heritage and promote peace and unity, they celebrate the swing-riding festival.
Approximately 200,000 Akha people live in the mountainous regions on the east bank of the Thanlwin River in Shan State’s eastern part.
