Olympus OM-2N | Kodak Tri-x @3200 | Ilford MGIV RC
Universal Peace Buddha Temple, Brooklyn

Traditionally, as the htamane feast is a communal celebration, all participants are welcome to contribute ingredients. However, the food for this particular Htamane festival-- including noodles and desserts--was fully sponsored by the UNDP Myanmar.

Htamane is a glutinuous rice dish mixed with ginger, coconut, sesame, peanuts, and copious amounts of oil. The Htamane feast marks the first harvest of the year, in which the best crops are set aside to offer to the monks. It's believed that these particular ingredients combine to create a healthy warmth in the body during the chilly season. Preparing htamane takes several hours and the hands of many temple members.

More Htamane photos here.