The Mon State government will provide 16 million kyats budget to hold Kayin traditional wrist typing ceremonies in the Mon State, according to the Mon State’s Kayin (Karen) Affairs Minister Saw Aung Myint Khine.

“Rather than focusing on the budget amount, we want to focus more on giving recognition. We are giving our emphasis on development and trying our best to support tradition and culture,” said Minister Saw Myint Khine.

The budget will be distributed based on the population in 18 venues where the wrist tying ceremonies will be held, he added.

“Mawlamyine Township’s wrist tying ceremony will be held at Taung Yoe Tan Aditayone Monastery on 7 August. I heard the government has allocated a budget. This is the first time it has provided the budget. Last year’s ceremony cost around two million kyats. The Kayin Literature and Culture Committee paid for the costs,” said Saw Tar Paung, secretary of Mawlamyine Township’s Kayin Literature and Culture Committee.

The Mon State government has previously allocated budgets for the Kayin New Year ceremony and joint literature course completion ceremonies within two years since it took office.

The Kayin people celebrate the traditional wrist tying ceremony annually on the full moon day of Wagaung to ward off evil spirits. This year, the full moon day of Wagaung falls on 7 August.