Put politely, interesting. I hope that you are somehow able to add a concise account of what this ritual/ ceremony was about.Then repost it on Y.T.

Not sure, but probably a bit like the Thai Loy Kratong. A desire to pay respects to the rivers which were and still are a life blood for communities living close to them...... transport, food, washing, bathing, irrigation, etc. and perhaps any Deva spirits which protect them. The fact that the Shan people are Buddhist means that they use similar offerings as when they go to the temple....candles, incense, food, money, images. The Burmese, as the Thais, were animist before Buddhism came along and still practice it alongside their new belief.

Makes for interesting and colourful spectacles anyway.

To apologise to the water for making it dirty. ESL text book claims.