YANGON: Floating dough balls, locally known as Mont Lone Yay Baw, are traditionally prepared during Myanmar's Thingyan festival as part of long-standing customs.
Families make it at home to offer as alms, enjoy together and share with neighbours.
More than just a simple dessert, Mont Lone Yay Baw represents deep cultural and social values.
It is rarely made individually; instead, families, friends and communities come together to prepare it, strengthening their bonds and symbolising unity during the festive season.
Ko Kyaw, who donates Mont Lone Yay Baw every Thingyan festival, explained the meaning behind the name.
"Mont Lone Yay Baw literally means 'floating dough balls.' When the dough is cooked, it rises to the surface of the boiling water. That's how it got its name," he said.
He added that floating symbolises rising karma, which is why people donate it as a good deed during Thingyan.
The snack is made from a mixture of sticky rice flour and rice flour, shaped into small balls with palm jaggery placed inside, then boiled until cooked.
After cooking, it is topped with shredded coconut.
In Yangon's Thaketa township, more than 20 people gathered to prepare sticky rice balls on Wednesday morning (April 15).
They rolled the small dough balls by hand, sharing laughter as they worked together.
Once cooked, the snacks were distributed as Thingyan food to passersby and neighbours, filling the area with a warm and joyful atmosphere.
Aye Kyi Ma, a resident, said people in her street collaborate to prepare and donate Mont Lone Yay Baw.
"Making and distributing sticky rice balls during Thingyan is our tradition. We work together, and when we do this, we feel very happy."
"We make donations throughout the four days of Thingyan. When we talk about Thingyan, Mont Lone Yay Baw is always part of it," she said.
Another participant, Ohn Mar Myint, highlighted the cultural value of the snack.
"There are many Thingyan snacks, but Mont Lone Yay Baw is the heart of Thingyan. It is not something you make alone -- you need many people and it shows unity," she said.
Aye Phyu, who donates Mont Lone Yay Baw during Thingyan with her family, shared that although she does not know when the tradition began, it has been passed down from generation to generation.
"During Thingyan, snacks like Mont Lone Yay Baw, sago, Shwe Yin Aye, and Mont Kyar Si are commonly donated. Among them, Mont Lone Yay Baw is the most popular and one of the easiest to make," she said.
"There is also a playful tradition of putting chili inside some of the rice balls to tease others," she added.
What matters most is not just the taste, but the moments created together, making the festival more meaningful for everyone involved, she said. - Xinhua
