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Traditional Lanterns: Lantern Business in Mandalay Has Declined in Compared To Last Year

18 October 2020
14848
2020-10-18 17:44

Traditional Bamboo lanterns business resumes again now in Mandalay for the Thadingyut Festival that is just around the corner.

Thadingyut Festival, the lighting festival is a significant one of Myanmar people and it is held on the full moon day of Thadingyut in Myanmar lunar calendar.

At this time of the year, Buddhists illuminate lights at their homes and streets for three days, dedicating to offering Lord Buddha—before, during, and after the full moon day. This is also the time when lanterns and candles are sold almost every shop.

But this year, due to the Covid-19 infections, the lantern business can operate now lately, according to the traditional bamboo lantern makers.

Lantern maker, Kyi Kyi Htay said "Last year, our business started when the lent set in and we had great market demands.
But this year, due to covid-19 outbreak, we started making paper lanterns in the last month depends on the orders. We are now making the lanterns despite worry on Covid-19. The prices of lanterns range from 500 to over 1000 kyats based on their sizes and designs. Although we don’t have much demands compared to last year."

Local sellers also expressed their difficulties as the covid-19 outbreak is coincided with the festival period.

Seller, Khin Yu Swe said "Lanterns are the main symbols for Thadingyut festival.
I’m worried about the covid-19 infections but I decide to sell it as a traditional business. Previously, we bought lanterns in advance since the month of Tawthalin.
Normally, I bought about 4 to 5 million kyats worth of the bamboo lantern. But this year, as the business is not good, I can buy more than 400,000 kyats worth of lanterns."

According to the industry players, due to the covid-19 infections, the lantern business in Mandalay has declined significantly.
The prices of the lanterns range from 500 kyats and above depending on the sizes and designs, it’s learnt.

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