Friday 27 March 2015


The KACHIN people are a group of ethnic tribes who largely inhabit the Kachin Hills in northern Burma's Kachin State and neighbouring areas of China and India. They are the close brother of Chin Kuki Mizo family. More than half of the Kachin people identify themselves as Christians - while a significant minority follow Buddhism and some also adhere to animism. Kachin state is also known as the land of jades and gold.

Manaw is a festival of the Kachin tribal group. It is one of the most popular festivals in Myanmar. The festival is usually held in January. This festival has been held for more than three decades. The traditional Manaw poles are decorated in colorful Kachin motifs and are centered in the middle of the festival ground. All who came to the festival wear their best traditional costume and the main feature of the festival is dancing around the erected Manaw poles, quite similar to the totem poles of North American Indians. Manaw festival is held in Myitkyina and Putao in Kachin State. Although most Kachin are now Christians, they are still proud of their ancestral traditions.

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