POTTERY

Pottery-making is perhaps the most functional of Myanmars craftindustries, though the results
are no less beautiful that any others. The items produced by pottery makers (vessels for
cooking and storing water, for example) are still very much part of everyday life.

Thick clay is mixed with silt from local rivers; the resulting material is then left to dry before
being ground into a powder, sieved, and soaked again in water until it becomes a smooth
substance that can be manipulated and shaped. There are several areas of Myanmar that are
particularly associated with pottery-making: These include the villages of New Nyein, Shwe
Khun, Shwe Tiek and Malar in the Shwebo region, and Bago and Twante near Yangon.
STONE-CARVING

Another craft that draws heavily on Buddhist tradition, stone carving is a source of great pride
and honor for the people of Myanmar. Workshops can be found throughout the country, but the
highest concentration is to be found in Mandalay, where the area near Mahamuni Paya is a hub
of stone-carving activity. Here you can see the process from its very beginning to the finished
article, and marvel at the skill involved in this deeply traditional craft.

MARIONETTES

The practice of depicting ancient stories in the form of puppet theater might have died out
completely had it not been for the Mandalay Marionette Theatre, whose nightly performances
have prompted a surge in popularity for this unique Myanmar tradition. The stories often center
around Buddhas life, but may also depict local legend. It is possible to buy traditionally-crafted
puppets throughout the country; these are popular as tourist souvenirs.
WOVEN TEXTILES


Myanmars textile heritage is long and rich, and although it has been influenced by
neighboring Southeast Asian countries, it carries its own distinctive traditions within its
designs. Mandalay and Amarapura are centers for the production of silk and cotton sarongs,
which are worn by men and women alike in Myanmar (Burma). Men tend to wear simple
designs, whereas women favor sarongs that are intricate and bright, often carrying traditional
colors and patterns.
Kachin Manaw Festival

Kachin is one of the states which has a delightful festival known as Manaw. Kachin, the
hill people or the Scots of Myanmar, celebrate Manaw festival. It is one of the most
popular festivals in Myanmar. The festival is usually held in January. This festival has
been held for more than three decades. Manaw festivals is the celebration of the New
Year, Victory in battles, reunion of the tribes etc. Everybody in town joins the spiritual
dance lined up behind one another.
Elephant Dance Festival

Dancing Elephant Festival is also another famous festival in Myanmar. It is held in
Kyaukse, near Mandalay. It is a marvelous performance of two men together to dance
in rhythm. A huge elephant figure is made from bamboo and paper. Men take their
places inside the figure and dance around the town to the accompaniment of Dobat and
Drums.
The elephant dancers circles three times at the foot of the hill to pay homage to the
Shwe Tha Lyaung Pagoda. It is a dance that requires precise rhythm and timing in order
for the elephant dancers to maintain unity inside the elephant figure. People from far
and near come to visit Kyaukse and watch the elephant dance.
Place Kyaukse, Mandalay Division
Time During October, can change according to the Lunar Calendar
Shwe U Min Pagoda Festival


Pindaya Shwe Oo Min cave Pagoda festival is held on and around fullmoon day of
Tabaung as well. It starts seven days before the full moon day. During the festival time,
thousands of devotees come from villages around the area to the cave. A kind of
pagoda mall is set up at the foot of the hill under big shady Banyan trees to sell local
products.
Place Pindaya, Southern Shan State
Time During March


Myanmar Marriage/Wedding
In Myanmar, regardless of the means by which a young couple is
brought together, the marriage ties are social rather than religious.
The Myanmar custom is to do court marriage in front of the
honorable judge superiors by signing officially before celebrating
ceremony.
In modern times, especially among urban people, it is usual for some
sort of public ceremony and reception to be held in the presence of
parents and elders. The bride and groom are taken to their place in
the stage by Master of ceremonies. The master of ceremony reads
the Aubur-Zar, eulogy and oversees the performance of the marriage rites such as
placing a four-foot long chain around the couple's necks, putting their
hands together with palms facing each other, immersing their joined
hands in a silver bowl containing scented water and soon. At the
conclusion of the ceremony the guests are entertained with music &
refreshments. The newlyweds greet the guests and thank them for
gracing the occasion with their presence. After the festivities are
over, the young couple pay respect (Kadaw) to the respective parents
and elders. The newlyweds then proceed to prominent pagodas and
say prayers for successive long marriage life.
All is not yet over -- laughing friends and relatives bar the entrance of
nuptial chamber by a gold chain and demand payment for entry. This payment is
known as gare-boe stone money". This is traditional custom of demanding money
from the newly-married couple as joyous.
Longyi


A longyi is a sheet of cloth widely worn in Burma. It is approximately 2 m
(6 ft.) long and 80 cm (2 ft.) wide. The cloth is often sewn into a
cylindrical shape. It is worn around the waist, running to the feet. It is held
in place by folding fabric over, without a knot. It is also sometimes folded
up to the knee for comfort. Similar garments are found
in India,Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Malay Archipelago. In the Indian
subcontinent(Bangladesh, West Bengal, South India, and Sri Lanka), it is
known variously as alungi, longi, kaili or saaram.