Mon Cultural Show at International Arts Festival

Fort Wayne , IN

March 10, 2007— Fort Wayne , IN —Mon Community of Fort Wayne participated in multicultural shows at the International Arts Festival in Fort Wayne , Indiana .  Thousands of people attended the event. Mon people were allowed to perform two traditional dances: Prince Dance and Candle Light Dance at the Festival.

Prince Dance was introduced in 1000 B.C. It was performed for honoring Kings and Queens during Mon Kingdom Savonnabumi. From that Kingdom, this dance has been spread all over Monland and has been kept alive in Monland until modern times.

Candle light dance was introduced in 400 A.D.  It was performed for praying Lord Buddha and for honoring the most Reverend Mon monk, Buhtagosa who translated Buddhist scriptures from Sanskrit to Mon language.

Moreover, Mon people also showed arts and crafts from Monland as well as offered Mon traditional foods at the festival. The Festival was joined by many nationalities including Columbian, Indian, Japaneses, Koreans, and Laotians.