Centuries old Mayfang (Light and Fire) Festival at Gilgit Baltistan

Mayhang (Fireworks) is fundamental to the Losar (New Year) celebrations in Baltiyul. It falls on December 21, which marks the winter solstice.

Mayhang (Fireworks) is fundamental to the Losar (New Year) celebrations in Baltiyul. It falls on December 21, which marks the winter solstice.

Mayfang is a centuries old festival celebrated in the Baltistan region of Pakistan. The Balti people celebrate the three day festival to mark the end of the longest night of the year. People dance, celebrate and rejoice on this day, holding torches made of wood. The festival was celebrated by the locals with the support of the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan.

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Musical program and seminar were also organized by civil society member to mark the day in all four district of the Baltistan region. This festival is known as LOSAR (is Balti/Tibetian word which means New Year according to tibetian calendar) & Mayfang (Fire throwing ritual that includes “Meshing”, “Ghuloom”. Traditionally this is the beginning of the New Year and a sign of happiness for the New Year. It is marked with ancient ceremonies that represents the struggle between good and evil. There is chanting and passing of fire torches through the crowd. It’s usually celebrate of 21st December the longest night of the year.

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Although some sources says Mayfang was a festival of Buddhist culture, but the people of Baltistan have still kept this tradition alive as a sign of their ancestral custom. In this festival, people especially young make fire on mountains and the roof of their houses. Children and boys arrange a special lighting system tiding a collection of wood pieces over the edge of a stick and wave it in the air. While, the women cook special dishes at homes and invite their relatives.

Mayfang is a kind of new-year festival because, we think that winter season has ended and summer season is being started. Thus the festival of May Fang is meant to welcome the summer season and to say good bye to winter season.