Eh Do Paw Mi or Diku Festival: Traditional festival held at Kandar Haywun Park in Loikaw

Among the traditional festivals of the Kayah ethnic people, the Eh Do Paw Mi , also known as the Diku Festival, is one of the prominent traditional festivals.

The festival is traditionally held with great pomp and ceremony every year during the months of Tawthalin and Thadingyut. The 2026 Eh Do Paw Mi , or Diku, Traditional Festival was held in the morning on September 29, at the Kayah State Hall and the stone-paved square of Kandar Haywun Park in Loikaw.

First, Union Minister for Ethnic Affairs U Than Maung formally opened the ceremony by beating the ceremonial frog drum and delivered the opening remarks. Next, the Kayah State Chief Minister delivered remarks, following which cash assistance for the traditional Eh Do Paw Mi , or Diku  festival jointly organized by the Kayah ethnic people was presented. U Mi Yal Myint , Chairman of the Kayah Literature and Culture Association, received the cash assistance.

Dr. Saw Thae Yal , Secretary of the Kayah Literature and Culture Association, then gave an explanation of the purpose and significance of holding the traditional Eh Do Paw Mi , or Diku  festival. This was followed by performances of traditional ethnic dances. The Union Minister, State Chief Minister, State Hluttaw Speaker and Minister for Bamar Ethnic Affairs presented cash award to the respective dance troupes.

Next, the entrance gate to the traditional Eh Do Paw Mi , or Diku , Festival at the stone-paved square of Kandar Haywun Park was formally opened by Union Minister for Ethnic Affairs U Than Maung, Kayah State Chief Minister U Ant Maw and Kayah State Hluttaw Speaker U Maw Yal  by cutting a ceremonial ribbon. Young Kayah women then opened the festival programme with a dance entitled “To the Eh Do Paw Mi Festival.” Subsequently, the Union Minister, State Chief Minister, State Hluttaw Speaker and invited guests attended a traditional communal gathering and feast at the stone-paved square of Kandar Haywun  Park, together with traditional ethnic cultural associations and ethnic people from wards and villages.

The guests were served traditional Kayah dishes, including Diku sticky rice wraps, rice wine, Kayah pork sausage and other traditional Kayah foods. They also warmly greeted and exchanged cordial words with those attending the festival. At the gathering, the Union Minister and guests enjoyed performances by Kayah traditional cultural dance troupes, as well as Shan, Pa-O and Intha ethnic cultural dance troupes.

The Union Minister presented ceremonial flower baskets and cash award to the performing groups. It is reported that more than 1,000 people, including members of ethnic literature and culture associations, traditional ethnic dance troupes and ethnic residents from wards and villages in Loikaw and other parts of the state, happily participated in the Eh Do Paw Mi , or Diku, Festival.