Birthday Traditions of Myanmar

Birthday rituals and traditions of the Myanmar people are particularly peculiar when compared to western birthday traditions, and there are few countries in which tradition makes such a great impact on the citizens' lives.

Time Frame

A traditional naming ceremony is undertaken seven days after the birth of a child and is attended by friends of the parents.

Tradition

The Myanmar name their children according to the calculations of an astrologer, and the name usually doesn't have any connection with the names of the child's parents.

Literature

Myanmar literature consists of 32 alphabets that are divided into eight categories and organised by astrological birth planet. According to Myanmar astrology, each week comprises eight days. They achieve this by splitting the Wednesday of the Biblical seven-day week into another day called "Rahu," from 18:00 to midnight.

Convention

The parents will construct their child's name using an alphabet from the category that corresponds with the day their child was born on. In two word names, the categorised alphabet will appear in the first word. In three word names, it will usually appear in the second word.

Example

Natay Kywe is a possible Myanmar name for a child born on Saturday, as is denoted by the 'Na' alphabet prefix.

References

• Myanmar Typical Exploration Tours: The Way of Buddhist Life