Traditional Htamane festival fosters unity, brings community closer

Group effort: People participating in a Htamane-making competition at the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon;

Excitement filled the air in Yangon as 36 teams gathered at the base of Shwedagon Pagoda to take part in the annual Htamane-making competition.

Yangon Region Chief Minister U Soe Thein officially opened the competition, marking the start of one of the nation’s most cherished traditional celebrations held in conjunction with the eve of the full moon of Tabodwe, which also marks the start of the harvest festival.