Y EPOKEGYI Village in Pwintbyu Township, Magway Region, has become famous for its children who preserve the traditional ‘Sanyitwine’ hairstyle (a top knot and a circular fringe). Travellers across the country visit there to observe their culture in the non-rainy season.

“The number of visitors to our village was very low due to transport challenges previously. The transport system is not good, and there is no access to electricity. The development is at low grade and the children have to attend only the primary level. If they want to join the middle school level, they have to go to Shauttaw, seven miles away from here. There are over 3,400 people and 704 households living in 673 houses in the village. There are over 700 children who have ‘Sanyitwine’. Most villagers do farm work. But they can plant only in the rainy season not in cold and hot seasons as the village lies on high land and it is not easy to get irrigation water. Therefore, they mainly run their traditional weaving industry,” elaborated village administrator U Lu Win.

“With the development of the village, a middle school was established in 2015 while the red soil road and electricity in 2020. The ancient lake was dug in April 2023, and the solar power water pumping project is being implemented. Now, the school has been upgraded into a high school (branch). Village pagodas and temples are also renovated. The village sees modern developments possessing proper access to water, electricity and roads including the high education system,” explained village elder U Sein Htay.

The natural scenery around the lake in front of the village, along with the YadanaU Pagoda and other religious buildings, makes the village picturesque. Moreover, travellers might not miss Yepokegyi Village in Pwintbyu Township for its famous ‘Sanyitwine’ hairstyle in the dry season.

Zeya Naing (Shwe Kan Myay)/KTZH

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