Rakhine people
In Myanmar (Burma), the tug of war, called "lun hswe" (; ) has both cultural and historical origins. It features as an important ritual in "phongyibyan", the ceremonial cremation of high-ranking Buddhist monks, whereby the funerary pyres are tugged between opposite sides. The tug of war is also used as a traditional rainmaking custom, called "mo khaw" (; ), to encourage rain. The tradition originated during the reign of King Shinmahti in the Bagan era. The Rakhine people also hold tug of war ceremonies called "yatha hswe pwe" (ရထားဆွဲပွဲ) during the Burmese month of Tabodwe.