Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
alaya, the Bamar ruled much of what is now Myanmar from Bagan (Pagan) by the 11th
century. When the British conquered Myanmar in the 19th century, it was the Bamar who
had to relinquish the most. Many ancient court customs and arts were lost when the
Bamar monarchy was abolished.
Despite an enduring attachment to older animist beliefs in
nat
(spirits), the Bamar,
from trishaw drivers to senior generals, are devout Buddhists. Monks are highly respec-
ted and the media reports daily on the merit-making of top officials at the country's prin-
cipal Buddhist places of worship - continuing a tradition of patronage started by
Burmese monarchs.
Coming of age
(shinbyu)
is a major event in Bamar/Buddhist culture with parades
around villages and towns for boys about to enter monasteries as novice monks, and both
girls and boys having their ears pierced.
The military and current government stopped short of making Buddhism the state reli-
gion (as Prime Minister U Nu did in 1960). However, nation-building efforts have in-
cluded establishing the Bamar language (Burmese) as the language of instruction in
schools throughout Myanmar, so most non-Bamar speak Burmese as a second language.
Khin Myo Chit's English-language
Colourful Myanmar
highlights many customs and tra-
ditions of Myanmar life and is available in many Yangon bookshops.
Chin
Of Tibeto-Burman ancestry, the Chin people call themselves Zo-mi or Lai-mi (both terms
mean 'mountain people'), and share a culture, food and language with the Zo of the adja-
cent state of Mizoram in India. Making up 2.2% of Myanmar's population they inhabit
the mountainous region (mostly corresponding with Chin State) that borders India and
Bangladesh to the west. Outsiders name the different subgroups around the state accord-
ing to the district in which they live, for instance Tidam Chin, Falam Chin and Haka Ch-
in.
In the past the Chin, as with most highland dwellers, led labour- intensive lives, and
their relatively simple traditional dress reflected this. Men wore loincloths in the warmer
months and draped blankets over themselves when the weather turned cool. The women
wore poncho-like garments woven with intricate geometric patterns. These garments and
Chin blankets are highly sought after by textile collectors today.
Traditionally the Chin practise
swidden
(slash-and-burn) agriculture. They are also
skilled hunters, and animal sacrifice plays a role in important animistic ceremonies: the
state has the largest proportion of animists of any state in Myanmar. Even so, some 80%
