FESTIVALS TOUR
Sea Gypsy Festival (Salone Festival)
Salone Festival will be held from 14th to 17th
February 2004 at MakyoneGalet Village on Bocho Island near Lampi
Island with the following objectives.
(a) To develop and promote Myeik Archipelago as a Tour destination.
(b) To promote tourism in acquaintance with Salone and Myeik
Archipelago as one of the tourism attractions for International
Market.
(c) To realize the actual situation of peace & tranquility in
Myanmar.
To be more convenient and attractive for the
International visitors, Ministry of Hotels & Tourism in co-operation
with local authorities, relevant departments, local tour operators
and travel agents will organize this as a tour package.
Salones and Mergui Archipelago
 Myeik (Mergui) Archipelago, located in
southernmost part of Myanmar (Burma), comprises over 800 beautiful
islands. Due to its virtual isolation, the islands and surrounding
seas are alive with an amazing diversity of flora and fauna.The only human inhabitants in the area are sea gypsies, namely
Salone in Myanmar. They live on boats during dry season and remain
on land during rainy season. They still practice the same fishing
and boat building techniques used for generation.Being affectionate to sea, much skilful in swimming and diving,
their ways of life and customs are so characteristic that
traditional festival will be launched intending to attract
international tourists as well as to operate marine eco-tourism
around the islands in Myeik Archipelago.
Sea Gypsies
 Among Myeik Archipelago many interesting features
is a small village on the Bo Cho Island south of the Lampi Island.
Culturally and ethnically separate from the others, the Salone
exists in only a few isolated areas along the Myanmar Andaman Coast.
These seafaring people-often referred to as sea gypsies live a
spartan existence, shunning most of the trappings of modern society
in favor of time-honored traditions. A shy and reserved people, most
depend on the sea for their livelihood. Although fishing has always
been their main priority, selling seashells to tourists is
increasingly common.
If logistics allow (a fairly high tide is needed
to bring a dinghy ashore here), a visit to these villages offers a
glimpse into a unique culture. As you wander amid the huts and
boats, remember that you are a guest in someone else's home and be
respectful of your hosts' right to privacy. The villages may be
closed to visitors during the full moon in March, when the Salone
hold ceremonies involving ancestor worship.
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