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Myanmar travel information and Shopping
Lacquerware :
Probably the most
popular purchase in Myanmar is lacquer ware and tourists love
lacquer ware. They are available in the main markets in Yangon and
Mandalay but most particularly in Bagan, where most of the lacquer
ware is made. It is also produced in Kyaukka village (the origin),
Monywa and in Kengtung, eastern Shan state. The basic raw material
for lacquer ware products is bamboo. To make an object, the
craftsman firstly weaves a frame. If the item is top quality, only
the frame is bamboo - horse or donkey hairs will be the engravings.
Multi-colored lacquer ware is produced by repeating engraving,
painting and polishing. The process takes five or six months and is
involving 14 steps. Lacquer is used for alms bowls, trays, plates,
boxes, containers, cups, vases and many other everyday items.
Octagonal topped folding tables and room dividers are other popular
lacquer ware items.
Silk Weaving :
Silk
weaving is a real traditional Myanmar Art. It can be widely seen in
Amarapura, the ancient city 12 km south of Mandalay. Most of the
local girls bring home earnings from silk weaving. Silk weaving can
also be seen in Inn-Paw-Kon village on the Inle Lake. Weaving
technique and designs are quite different from that in Amarapura. In
the era of the Kings, silk clothing was only used among royal
family. Nowadays most of Myanmar especially women love to wear silk
clothing in ceremonies and occasions. Visitors either men or women
love to buy beautiful silk scarves and other clothing materials.
Jewelry :
Myanmar is famous for
its pure and world best jade, but next to this you can buy precious
birthstones, sapphires and rubies of different qualities. The most
famous ruby is the "pigeon blood", which can reach quite high
prices. Many stores in Yangon are able to fix unique designs with
directly chosen stones within in a couple of weeks in different
quality ranges. Jade is available as stones, finished jewelry like
necklaces and even in lower quality in small carved animals, mainly
elephants, which are nice gifts to bring home.
Gold leaf :
The
manufacture of gold leaf can be seen in Mandalay as a cottage
industry. Myanmar people believed that it was started by Shan Saya
Mon, so gold leaf producer always pay respect to him for good
business. Small pieces of gold bullion, which are in the form of
tamarind leaves, each kept between two pieces of paper (3x3)
are laboriously beaten out for days until it reaches the
gossamer-like thinness required to gild the images in pagodas. As
well gold leaf is used to gild the lacquer ware, wood curving
materials and Paya Htee (Pagoda umbrella).
Puppets :
Marionettes are based
on Myanmar music and dance, made of rattan or wood in different
forms. There are twenty eight kinds of marionettes, which sizes are
from thirteen inches to twenty inches in the form of King, Queen,
horse, elephant, tiger, monkey, parrot and so on. Marionettes can be
seen at market stalls, hanging with manageable 20 strings. It was
said that Marionette is already performing in AD 1295, but noted
were Myanmar Marionettes as early as in the 18th century. During
these times some marionettes had up to 60 manageable strings.
Tourists like to buy Marionettes at stalls and workshops in Mandalay
or Yangon as souvenir to hang them at their home.
Gold Embroidery :
It
is a kind of Myanmar traditional handicraft, which can be seen in
Mandalay since the time of ancient Kings. In the era of King Min
Don, who built the Mandalay city, he plotted a separate quarter for
gold embroidery handicraft. The technique is creating designs, like
flowers and pictures on the cloths (silk, etc.) by using gold and
sliver threads. Real gold and sliver threads were used during the
King’s era, but colorful sequins were used for making
commanders’ clothing. Nowadays Myanmar people use gold embroidery
clothes in traditional and regional affairs such as novice ceremony,
opening ceremony, Nat Pwe etc., dating back to memorable ancient
times.
Tapestry :
Tapestry can be
regarded as the twin handicraft of gold embroidery, seen in Mandalay
as well and is a good business. Unlike to gold embroidery, instead
of designed on silk cloths, it is designed on framed black cloths or
velvet and old robes: using tinsel, artificial gems, gold, sliver
and colorful threads by knitting. They are beautifully designed with
floral ornaments, pictures of animals: tiger, lion, elephant,
peacock and similar. Tapestry can be as well found on human
accessories such as hats, shoulder bags and regular clothing. This
popular handicraft is easy to carry, so most of tourists buy and
bring pieces back home.
Stone Sculpting :
This
is one of the twelve categories of traditional Myanmar Fine Arts,
called Pan-ta-mot. Stones are carved into various sizes Buddha
Statues, flowers like lotus and form of animals: elephant, lion,
horse, etc. Small lovely pieces can easily be brought home. For
large items for gardens and house you may need assistance of local
shipping companies.
Wood Carving :
Myanmar has large
reserves on wood due to the big forests and therefore you can find
many items carved in different woods. The carved woods are both old
and new and vary from small figures and wooden canes to heavy
statues and Buddha images.
Furniture :
Teakwood furniture
are made by local craftsmen in various styles and by order of
individual preferred designs. Some foreign residents in Myanmar love
to buy such uniquely designed furniture. If the tourists would like
to bring them to their home country, the advice of a shipping agent
is required to check on the regulations in the country.
Antiques :
Statues
of brass in animal shapes, old clocks, old furniture and wood
carvings, as well as old ship antiques as lanterns or telegraphs are
a popular buy in Yangon or other major cities. You have to watch
though the export regulations.
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