ON THE CHINDWIN RIVER – THROUGH THE LAND OF THE NAGA

By Daniela Hartz and Birgit Neiser

Hardly is there a report of river tours in Myanmar in which the Ayeyarwaddy is not the protagonist. In this tale, however, it is another great river which takes centre stage, even if its waters do eventually feed into the “mother of all rivers” (as it is known by the locals) near the town of Pakokku. The Chindwin runs for over 840km from roughly North to South through the western part of Myanmar, predominantly in the Sagaing State. Here also you find the tribal territory of the Naga, which extends far across the border into India. Their celebration of the New Year, which falls upon the first full moon of January, is the occasion for our trip, as we set off on a combined river and trekking expedition to join in the festivities.