Fr Kurt Zion Pala (2nd from right) with participants of the interfaith camp. - Photo: Fr Kurt Zion Pala
Through dance, we can come together with our different identities but still have a conversation. When we run out of words, we can speak through our bodies. Manau dance is a dance of diversity and unity. The Kachin, composed of seven different groups, perform the Manau dance for different purposes, including celebrating victory in war or mourning a death. Legend has it that early people were inspired to dance by the circular movements of animals - birds, animals, and insects.
Last August, 32 young people from five major religions (16 Christians, 5 Muslims, 5 Hindus, 4 Sikhs, and 2 Buddhists) in Myanmar participated in the first Interfaith Youth Camp facilitated by the Catholic Student Action Myitkyina (CSAM). The camp was held at the beautiful Nawng Nang Centre in Kachin State. On the last night of our interfaith camp, the young people ended the programme with the Manau dance led by the Kachin Christian youth.
Myanmar is host to the longest ongoing civil war in the world - for more than sixty years it has raged. Over 135 recognised ethnic groups call Myanmar home, and cultural differences and identities play a significant role in this protracted conflict. Cultural or tribal groups are attached to a particular religion or spiritual practice, which makes religion an important aspect of their ongoing struggle.
The diversity of the people is also a reflection of the diversity in Myanmar’s natural treasure - its flora and fauna. But these ongoing internal conflicts have intensified the destruction of the country’s natural environment. Against this reality, the Interfaith Youth Camp was organised under the theme “Let there be peace on Earth. Let it begin with Me”.
The camp provided input for participants not only on inter-religious dialogue but also on mental health. Many young people are suffering from some form of mental health challenge. Experts provided simple and practical suggestions on self-care and managing stress. They also cleared up many of the myths about mental health.
Photo: Fr Kurt Zion Pala
The inter-religious dialogue session helped the participants understand the definition of true dialogue, and the values and different ways of doing dialogue. The camp allowed participants to share their own religion through a 15-minute presentation and to bring along some items or symbols of their religion.
During the Cultural Show on the last night, each group gave a demonstration of their cultural dances and songs. These included Indian-inspired dances, Lisu tribal dance, Burmese songs, and the Kachin Manau dance.
There was also a cultural food exchange with each group preparing and sharing their traditional food with everyone. The Muslims prepared samai, a dish of sweet fine vermicelli noodles mixed with warm milk. The Sikhs brought barfi or burfi, a basic fudge made using full-fat milk, sugar and ghee. The Gurkhas, mostly Hindus, also brought with them different kinds of Indian sweets. The Kachin/Lisu Christians prepared traditional jap htu with pounded ginger, chillies, dried fish, and other spices. They also prepared a traditional rice wine called tsa pi. As they presented their different dishes, they explained the meaning and significance of each dish.
Every morning we also learned different meditation traditions like the Buddhist and Indian Yoga meditation. Meditating or praying together is a form of dialogue.
The original plan for the camp included a pilgrimage to the different places of worship - Muslim Mosque, Hindu Mandir, Sikh Gurdwara, Buddhist Temple-monastery, and Christian Church. But the political situation in the country made it dangerous and difficult to facilitate. So the participants were only able to visit a Buddhist Temple-monastery, which is quite near the camp venue.
Buddhist monk Ashin Nandasara speaking about Buddhism. Photo: Fr Kurt Zion Pala
There, the participants met the head monk and his novices. The monk spoke to the participants, encouraging them. Then the participants and the Buddhist monks planted some trees. The camp also introduced the participants to the Golden Rule and the Review of Life method (See-Judge-Act). Participants were taught to use the method to look at their present situation. They identified issues related to climate change, such as drought, damaged farmland, gold mining, and other environmental disasters.
The participants asserted that it is wrong to only look at the economic benefits the natural environment brings and not at its innate value. Greed for profits has spurred many companies to come to Myanmar, intent on exploiting its natural resources. People throw their waste anywhere and everywhere.
Through the cultural night and food exchange, we learned to share faith, food, and friendship. These three Fs, for me, are practical ways to do dialogue. The camp ended with each group demonstrating their traditional dance.
Columban Fr Kurt Zion Pala lives and works in Myanmar.
Listen to "Dance of dialogue"
Related links
- Read more from The Far East - July 2023
