The origin of Songkran Festival

The Songkran Festival originated in Persia in the 5th century A.D., and was then called "throwing cold water on Hu Opera". Also known as Begging for Cold and Huxi. Later, "Lenghu Opera" was introduced from Persia to Myanmar, Thailand, China, Xishuangbanna and other places via India.

/kloc-from the end of 0/2 century to the beginning of 0/3 century, it was introduced into China and Yunnan Dai areas through Myanmar with Buddhism. Later, with the deepening influence of Buddhism in Dai areas, the custom of water-splashing festival became a national custom and was handed down.

Songkran Festival is a traditional festival of Dai, Thai and Southeast Asia. On that day, people in Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and overseas Thai settlements, such as Kowloon City and Zhonghe District in New Taipei City, Taiwan Province Province, got up early in the morning and bathed in Buddha's light.

After that, we began to celebrate for a few days. During the period, everyone sprinkled purified water on each other and prayed to wash away the troubles of the past year. Songkran Festival is the New Year of the Dai people, which is equivalent to the middle of April in the Gregorian calendar and generally lasts for 3 to 7 days.

Water-splashing Festival is a comprehensive stage to display the traditional culture of Dai people, such as water culture, music and dance culture, food culture, costume culture and folk worship. It is an important window to study the Dai history and has high academic value. The artistic performances such as palm-dancing and white elephant dance displayed in the Water-splashing Festival are helpful to understand the national characteristics of the Dai people, such as understanding nature, respecting Buddha in love the water, and being gentle and calm.

Why celebrate the Songkran Festival?

The Songkran Festival originated in India and was once a religious ceremony of Brahmanism in India. After being absorbed by Buddhism, it was introduced into the Dai area of Yunnan through Myanmar, with a history of 700 years from the end of13rd century to the beginning of14th century. With the increasing influence of Buddhism spread to the south in Dai areas, the valley study of Water-splashing Festival has become more and more extensive.

Water-splashing Festival is a celebration of the Dai New Year, which usually lasts from April 13 to April 15 in the solar calendar. At that time, people will go to the Buddhist temple to bathe the Buddha first, and then splash water on each other to express their sincere wishes. Laughing everywhere, full of festive atmosphere.