Myanmar earthquake survivors mark new year amid ruins
Two weeks after the disaster which killed over 3,600, the ruling junta has commanded the usually raucous festival to have no music or dancing
Thousands marked the start of Myanmar’s water festival on Sunday in the ruins of last month’s earthquake, with the country’s most raucous holiday muted by the tragedy of the tremor.
The ‘Thingyan’ festival typically celebrates Myanmar’s new year with water-splashing rituals symbolising cleansing and renewal, but the central cities of Mandalay and Sagaing lie devastated from the 7.7-magnitude quake.
Two weeks on from the disaster which killed more than 3,600, hundreds are still living in tent encampments peppered among pancaked apartment blocks, razed tea shops and demolished hotels.
Early on Sunday families were buying clay pots and plant sprigs customarily placed inside homes to welcome the new year, even though some had nowhere to put them.
“My heart is heavy. Our neighbourhood used to come together to celebrate Thingyan but we cannot do it this year,” said 55-year-old Ma Phyu, camping with nine family members north of Mandalay’s quake-damaged Royal Palace.
Her grandchildren usually pester her to buy them squirt guns, but this year she has nothing to offer.