Rakhine Traditional Thingyan Water Festival Grandly Celebrated in South Korea

News ၊ August 18, 2026

The Arakan Association (Korea) organized a grand traditional Rakhine Thingyan Water Festival at Shin Ansan University in South Korea on August 16, which was enthusiastically celebrated by members of the Rakhine community living in the country.

Rakhine diaspora living abroad in South Korea, alongside members of other communities, attended and took part in the traditional festival.

Ko Aung Lwin, Chairman of the Arakan Association (Korea), told ONN, "The purpose of hosting this event is to collectively preserve and promote Rakhine traditional culture, unity, and friendship, even though we are living far away abroad."

He further added, "The proceeds and profits generated from this festival will be used as a fund to assist and support internally displaced persons (IDPs) who have been forced to flee their homes due to the impact of war in Rakhine State."

The Thingyan festival program featured traditional activities including grinding Thanaka, performing ceremonial washing of Buddha images, young men and women splashing water on each other from a traditional Rakhine boat structure, and serving traditional Rakhine dishes.

The Arakan Association (Korea) expressed special gratitude to all donors, well-wishers who contributed funding to ensure the festival's success, as well as the responsible officials and volunteers who worked hard to organize the event.

Source@ONN