Foreign tourists prohibited from Naga festival

Wednesday, 23 December 2009 18:46 Nem Davies

New Delhi (Mizzima) - Foreign tourists have been prohibited from attending the Naga New Year festival in January in Nanyung, Layshee Township, Sagaing Divsion for reasons of security.

The Ministry of Hotel and Tourism circulated an advisory to tour companies directing them to cancel all tour programmes arranged for foreign tourists heading for the Nanyung festival, which will be held very close to the India-Burma border for security reasons.

The Naga festival, popular among foreign tourists is going to be held from January 13 to 15 next year.

The festival showcases, traditional arts, crafts and food besides hosting sports meets and traditional dances. The ethnic Naga people from remote and far flung areas usually attend, let down their hair and enjoy the festival.

In 2002, about 97 foreigners attended the Naga festival held in La He, 174 visited the same town La He in 2003 and 176 tourists visited Lay She in 2004.

The makeshift accommodation made of jungle wood for the foreign tourists are built near the festival ground and food and travel are usually arranged by some tour companies.

Tourists can take a flight to Myitkyina in Kachin State first and proceed to the festival ground by car which takes about 16 hours through Tanai and Shin Bwe Yan.

The festival was handed over to the junta authorities in 2001 and held annually in different towns by rotation. This year the festival is going to be held in Nan Yung.

“The area is under the control of the Northern Military Command. A battalion is based in Nan Yung, two more battalions are in Ta Nai, plus security forces are deployed along the route,” a local resident Naga hill tribe member said.