Culture of Myanmar

                 Myanmar's traditional culture is an amalgam of folk and royal culture. Buddhism has been a part of Myanmar's culture since the 1st century AD and has blended with non-Buddhist beliefs. The most conspicuous manifestation of Buddhist culture is the magnificent architecture and sculpture of Myanmar's many temples and monasteries, notably those at Pagan, Mandalay, andYangon.In 1886  the traditional   drama appeared       to be dying with the elimination of the monarchy, but it had permeated the masses and survived as part of the folk tradition. With the growth of nationalism and regaining of independence, it gathered new strength. The most popular dramatic form is the pwe, which is performed outdoors. There are a variety of pwe genres, but most often the subject matter is taken from the Jatakas, the stories of the former lives of the Buddha. Traditional musical forms, influenced by those from neighboring lands, are highly percussive. Dance forms are derived largely from southern India.

 Myanmar Religion

               In  Union of Myanmar majority of the population are Buddhist, Theravada Buddhism is professed widely. Religious intolerance or discrimination on grounds of religion is non-existence in the Union of Myanmar throughout it's long history.  The main religions of present day Myanmar are Buddhism (89.20%), Christianity (5.05%), Muslims (3.78%), Hindus (0.55%), and Animism (1.27%) and other faiths such as Bahai Sikhs, Lipian fujianhal, Chinese, etc.(0.61%). Theravada Buddhism flourishes in Myanmar .With reference to stone inscriptions, palm leaf inscriptions and court chronicles tell us that Buddhism arrived in Myanmar not once but many times. 

There are state schools of dance, music, drama, and fine arts at Yangon and Mandalay. The National Museum is at Yangon, and there are regional museums at Pagan, Mandalay, and other regional centers.

Myanmar arts          

              In addition to the traditional arts are silk weaving, pottery, tapestry making, gemstone engraving, and gold leaf making. Temple architecture is typically of brick and stucco, and pagodas are often covered with layers of gold leaf while monasteries tend to be built of wood (although monasteries in cities are more likely to be built of modern materials). A very common roofing style in Burmese architecture is calledpyatthat , which is a multi-tiered and spired roof.Myanmar's woodcarving emerged before the Bagan period and subsequently improved in the middle of the Bagan era. The temples and palaces of the old were magnificently decorated with carved wooden gables and eaves, and other fabulous ornamentation comprised of the most creative and intricate woodcarvings. It is a pity that many examples of the true genius of Myanmar wood carvers have suffered in the course of time but, fortunately, some of the most exquisite woodcarvings still survive in monasteries and pagodas.The Shwezigone Pagoda in Bagan, Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Shwenandaw Monastery in Mandalay contain ornamentation of filigree-like woodcarving with scrolls, flowers, animals and supernatural-beings arranged in intricate patterns. Carvings of nats, or mythical traditional spirits, marionettes, and figures of animals still flourishes today. 

 

Panpu
                                                                     

The craft of turnery started to develop in the Bagan period around the 8th century A.D. The artisans produced wood products using the turner's

lathe. This craft also owed much to Mons of Suvunna Boumi.The turner produced items of diverse shapes such as boxes, bowls, containers, beads, and kitchen utensils. Now this craft thrives mostly because of the tourism industry.

Pandain

         Precious metalwork is one of the oldest Myanmar crafts, dating back to pre-Bagan times. Artistic Pyu silver ware was discovered in the mounds of the old shrines of Srikshetra. When King Anawrahta of Bagan brought the relics of Buddha and Buddhist scriptures to Bagan from t the Mon capital Suvunna Boumi, various gold and silver artifacts were included.In antiquity, royals, nobles and the wealthy used gold and silver utensils as status symbols. Silver items such as vases, trays, silver Buddha statuettes were also used for religious purposes. The art of making gold leaf is    a    renowned Myanmar craft. Gold leaf is popularly used by Buddhist devotees and is pasted on Buddha images as part of their offerings. The process of pounding gold nuggets between layers of leather to get paper-thin gold foils is an intricate art, which is most prevalent in Mandalay. 

                                                                                                  Panchi                                                               

The history of Myanmar's painting can be traced back to pre-historic times. Stone age paintings have been discovered in Padalin cave, in the Shan State. Nine wall paintings, and brown-colored sketches were found there.The 11th century Bagan mural paintings have strong Indian influence and floral patterns are the main elements of the paintings. The Bagan period artists excelled in line drawing, and popular techniques included fresco, oil painting and tempera painting. Most of the paintings depict the 550 Jatakas (Buddha stories).Inwa paintings began depicting the social life of the people, and only red and green paints were mainly used in the murals.In early Konebaung era (17th century), the paintings marked the transition from Myanmar traditional flat painting to western styles of perspective and tones. Blue colour was generously used and the paintings recorded the lifestyles, entertainment and scene of that era.In the Yadanabone era western style painting began to penetrate, but traditional line sketches remained intact.During the colonial era western styles and modern techniques were introduced and became popular. Contemporary art also flourished in the 20th century, and now Myanmar contemporary art is mainly impressionistic.In ancient times palm leaf painting and parchment painting flourished. Some of these paintings can be found intact in some pagodas and monasteries and at the National Museum of Myanmar.

 Panyan

 Myanmar's masonry is of high standard and dates back to Pyu era. Archeological findings at the old sites of Beikthano, Hanlin and Srikshetra have unearthed high standard Myanmar masonry work.Masonry attained its zenith during the Bagan dynasty, and Southern Indian culture and Mon culture contributed much to the Bagan architecture. During that era, many religious edifices were built by the kings and lay people alike.

Music of myanmar

              Various types of Burmese music use an array of traditional musical instruments, assembled in an orchestra known as hsaing waing[4] which the Burmese saing saya Kyaw Kyaw Naing has made more widely known in the West. Traditional folk music is atypical in Southeast Asian music, as it is characterized by sudden shifts in rhythm and melody as well as change in texture and timbre.[5]An instrument unique to Burma is the saung-gauk,[4] an arched harp that can be traced to pre-Hittite times. Classical traditions of Burmese music are found in the Mahagita, an extensive collection of classical songs and are typically divided into indoor and outdoor ensembles. These songs tend to be about various legends in Pali and subsequently in Burmese intermingled with Pali, related to religion or the power and glory of monarchs, and then the natural beauty of the land, forests and the seasons, eventually feminine beauty, love, passion and longing, in addition to folk music sung in the paddy fields. Pop music, however, dominates the music of Burma today, both adopted and homegrown.

Festivals of Myanmar              

   Among the many festivals in Myanmar, Thingyan is the merriest and one of the few observed all over the country. Thingyan welcomes the Myanmar New Year by washing away the dirt of the body and bad memories of the old year. Everyone who ventures out of the house risks getting doused from head to toe by enthusiastic revellers. As it so very hot no one minds this a bit. Young people enjoy it most of all. Although they act scared of being soaked, it is a fine way of showing off to the opposite sex.

 Thingyan Festivals

     Thagyamin, King of the Celestials, visits earth every year at this time in human form. The festival starts on the day of his descent, and ends with his ascent back to his celestial kingdom four or five days later. It is believed that during his stay on earth Thagyamin examines every human being and inscribes the names of all the good on a golden tablet, while the bad are recorded on a dog-skin. Parents warn their children to behave and not kill or steal or tell lies because 'Thagyamin is watching'. Thagyamin is also custodian of the Buddha's teachings. He is a good-hearted god who helps all those in need. The word Thingyan comes from a Sanskrit word meaning 'the passing of the sun from Pisces into Aries'. The day of Thagyamin ascent marks the beginning of the Myanmar New Year, and usually falls at the end of the second week of April.

   Thingyan is the most exciting event of the Myanmar year. From early morning, young people prepare their equipment at every street corner including water tanks, buckets, pumps and hoses. Nobody, except the very old or sick, and monks, escapes a soaking, regardless of their religion or nationality. Many organisations, government offices, private companies and individuals build decorated pandals (platforms) from which to drench passing motorists and pedestrians. In big cities like Yangon, Mandalay and Mawlamyine, boys and girls drive from one pandal to another to splash and be splashed. There is a lot of singing and dancing, traditional as well as modern. In Mandalay, huge decorated floats carry singers, dancers and musicians around the town performing at the various pandals.

Thadingyut festival

   Thadingyut, Myanmar festival of lights, is celebrated at the end of Lent (September/October). Houses and state buildings in Myanmar are ablaze with lantern, candles, or electric bulbs. Young people show their respect for elders by formally presenting them with gifts of food or longyi. This festival observes the event when the Buddha came down to the earth after the end of Lent. At the festival, there are concerts and zat (Myanmar traditional theater) in every cities. People are usually crowded in the stalls near those concerts.

Thadingyut - Festival of Lights

Hta-ma-ne Making Festival

 Myanmar Traditional Foods        

     Because Myanmar has diverse geographical features, favourable seasonal conditions and is naturally endowed with fertile soil and water resources, it boasts an abundant supply of food in a great variety all year around.Myanmar people enjoy rice as their main food and it comprises about 75% of the diet. Rice is served with meat or fish, soup, salad and vegetables all cooked in their own ways, and some relishes to complement the meal.

       During meals, all the dishes are laid out on the dining table and served together so that diners can make their own choices and combinations. Although the dishes are prepared in a variety of ways, the most common method is to cook meat or fish in oil, seasoned with pounded onion, garlic, ginger, turmeric, chili and spices, and simmer until all or most of the water evaporates. The essential and most popular condiment is a kind of relish made from preserved fish or prawn, served with chili powder.Most traditional snacks, which are rich in variety and taste, are generally made with rice or glutinous rice. 



Mohinga , or rice noodle served with fish soup, is the favourite Myanmar dish mostly enjoyed at breakfast or on special occasions. 

Laphet or pickled tea leaves with a dash of oil and served with sesame seeds, fried garlic and roasted peanuts, is another popular snack typical of Myanmar. 




 

Background History of Myanmar Food

     Myanmar people have a long tradition of preparing food in their own way and the history of traditional food may be as old as the culture and arts of its people. Myanmar is an agrarian country with rice as the principal crop. Myanmar used to be the world's biggest rice exporter.

     Myanmar lies between two great and very different cultures which have influenced not only religion, culture and arts, but also the preparation of food. During the colonial period, the influx of Chinese and Indians also had an impact on Myanmar traditional food, introducing new items. With the advent of globalization and trade liberalization, most famous foods from around the world are available in the cities, yet the majority of Myanmar people still cherish their own food, ensuring that its essence and uniqueness remains unchanged. 


Lifestyles and Activities

     Despite modern changes and globalized cultural blending, Myanmar people have been able to preserve their own lifestyles and activities that have existed since time  immemorial.  The people of Myanmar communicate in their own language, wear their own style of clothing including  the  longyi, relish their own style of food, pray in their own way,  play their own games,  celebrate their own festivals, receive treatment with their own traditional medicines, and perform their own rituals remaining as Myanmar as possible in every aspect. Many of the life styles and activities are unique to Myanmar people. For example, the Shin Pyu or novitiation ceremony, which allows a young boy to experience temporary monastic life, is a religious practice virtually nonexistent in other parts of the world. Although some of Myanmar's beliefs, superstitions, customs and lifestyles have gradually disappeared, many still remain and are cherished and highly valued by the majority of the people.