Early December Round-up: Conference on Shan Buddhism and Culture (SOAS) and Mai soong pii mai tai (2102) on the internet
By Naw Liang (in Beijing, PRC and London, UK)

Preface
Apologies for the delay in getting this update online. Business in China and a nasty cold/flu have hampered my recent writing processes, though I seem to have pushed through finally. Additionally, as the end of the year approaches, activities of interest take a backseat to work, friends and family responsibilities, as they should. Alright, back to work.

Conference on Shan Buddhism and Culture
8-9 December 2007 at SOAS, University of London
I had the good fortune to attend the first ever academic conference on Shan Buddhism and culture held at SOAS' Brunei Gallery in central London (UK) in early December. A long time in the making, the event was a true success*: well-organised and competently managed; panels including well-known academics and religious figures from Burma/Myanmar, France, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Sweden, the US and the UK, including Nicola Tannenbaum, Nancy Eberhardt, the illustrious Chit Hlaing (Frank Lehman), Catherine Raymond; and expert insight(s) into an impressive breadth of topics, including history, linguistics, anthropology, religous studies and art and art history. While I, along with the 50 or so other spectators and participants, were treated to presentations, discussions and more throughout the event, we were also part of something unique: I have, over the years, done my own research far-and-wide, yet, without such an event, one is unable to go that next step - to question, discuss and even challenge theories and their proponents. That, more than any journal, essay or edited paper, is invaluable for fledgling researchers, academics and interested parties. I am already looking forward to the second annual conference, though, somewhat selfishly, hoping that it might be held somewhere more tropical and nearer our core subject. Fingers will stay crossed and eyes open for any news.

*My critique of the conference is only based on the first of two days (the second I was airborne for Beijing and beyond), but I have been assured by acquaintances that presented and attended that the quality was, in line with the first day, second-to-none. I'll eagerly await the video, which should be up online soon.

Mai soong pii mai tai (2102) on the internet
Although I missed out on the fantastic Shan New Year (Mai soong pii mai tai) festivities, which ran concurrently with the Conference on Shan Buddhism and Culture in London this year, I am not that disappointed. Let me explain.

Although this has been happening more and more recently, 2007 (or, rather, 2102) has seen the most amazing increase in Shan New Year greetings, celebrations, music, performances and get togethers (all via the world wide web) that I have ever witnessed. Although I and many here in the UK are privileged to be part of and party to the energetic members of the Shan Cultural Association of the UK - there events, posts and enthusiasm - there has been an extraordinary amount of content available online for Shan and Shan enthusiasts alike. There has been so much content that I have been unable to keep up. So, in an attempt to try, the following are but a small section of the Shan New Year content that I have found or been guided to:

Shan New Year celebrations (London, UK):
Traditional Shan New Year dances (performed by members of the SCA_UK)
YouTube videos:
Shan New Year traditional dance
Shan New Year traditional musical performance
Shan New Year traditional song

And, as a special treat, Shan New Year revellers in London were treated to a concert by the famous Shan musician Sai Htee Saing. For those of you who missed out, here are some videos of his fabulous performance.
YouTube videos: Sai Htee Saing videos (1) and (2),
Google Videos: Sai Htee Saing (1); Sai Htee Saing "Moung la pyie won" (2); Sai Htee Saing "Chit tar ta ku te the tae" (3); Sai Htee Saing "For Nwet Tin" (4); Sai Htee Saing "Chit te Shan yo ma"(5); Sai Htee Saing "Kalay lay bawa" (6); Sai Htee Saing "Moung ta pat nwan" (7)
And some photos: SCA_UK Shan New Year 2102 and Happy Shan New Year 2102

Shan New Year celebrations (Yangon, Burma/Myanmar)
Photos: Shan New Year in Yangon 2102
(With 'thumping' backing track)

Shan New Year Celebrations (Singapore, Singapore)
See main photo above as I search for more.

If anyone out there has come across any other sites, particularly any from Northern Thailand or even Burma/Myanmar (my Thai is not quite good enough to conduct extensive searches through the internet), I would appreciate it if you could send them along. The more, the better.

Until next time, a belated Mai soong pii mai tai and happy holidays!

Colin 'Naw Liang' Savage