Shinbyu, the journey from boyhood to becoming a novice monk is the religious ceremony symbolizing Gautama Buddha’s life as a Prince, which he renounced in his search for enlightenment.

It is such an important part of the Burmese devotion to Buddhism for local people that each Novication ceremony is considered an extremely auspicious event. It is also an anxious time for the boys as they leave their villages and family to enter the monastery.

On the day the boy will be dressed in glittering clothes and make up applied to look like a Prince.