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| Pottery,a home industry |
 We can get much benefit from the lands we live in Myanmar. It is very useful and gives great help in agriculture and animal husbandry. Even the natural clay from the soil gives us very useful earthen-wares for our daily use. Here's a family's pot making cottage-industry. First, they take good conditioned natural clay, sprinkled it with water and leave it for a night. In the morning, they add the clay with sand and water and mixed them thoroughly. And then, they pound and beat the mixture thoroughly to get the clay can be used in pot-making. After that, they make unbaked earthen pots such as lid of the pot, vase, water-pot, earthen stove, etc on the potter's wheel. Patience, perseverance, diligence, effort, imaginations and inspirations turned the clays into useful utensils. There is a saying in Myanmar concerning this process. It says "you can get a flameless and magnificent pot only if you pound them it well enough". And then, they apply red clay onto the unbaked earthen wares made by the family members, then they are left to dry in the sunshine. Later pile-up with straws and covered with ash and then baked at the fireplace. Then, you get nice-shaped handmade pots, ready for use. |
Note: This kind of pottery can see:
- On the way to Mandalay – Bagan River one night stop cruise at Yandabo village.
- Trip to Bago or Kyaikhtiyo (depend on the season)
- Near the Sagar (Inle Lake )
- On the way to Kalaw at Shan village
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| Glazed Earthen Pot |
Myanmar generally use glazed earthen pot to fill water, oil and also for interior and outdoor decorations at homes restaurant and hotels. The process of making these useful glazed earthen pots are as follows. First, the potters mix the red and yellow clay powder with water. And then, gradually shape thoroughly mixed-clay into various forms of pot by using their hands. The amount of clay they use depends on the shape and size of the pot they want to make. After that, they put them onto the potter's wheel and shape the pot. Before they are finished, they give the finishing touch to the pot's mouth. Then they let the pot dry under the shade for 7 to 10 days. After that, they apply glazed lead carbonate liquid the pot and dry the pot in the sun. When the pots are dried, they are put in rows and then baked in 1300șC over. After being baked, the pots are left in the oven for about 6 days till they are cool. After that, 1st class glazed earthen pots are taken from the oven which are ready to be used. The potters also make small water pots besides the glazed earthen pots. Glazed vases with floral arabesques drawings are also available. The glazed earthen pots piled upon the bank of Ayeyarwady river prove that glazed earthen pots are still part and parcel of Myanmar society even though plastic and metal wares are in vogue, nowadays.
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Note: This kind of Glazed Earthen Pot can see:
- At Twente Village
- On the way to Shwebo upon the bank of Ayeyarwaddy River
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| Padonma Lotus Weaving |
Long since the arrival of Theravada Buddhism in Myanmar, offering various kinds of sacred robes to the Pagodas, Buddha Images and members of the Sangha have been upheld. Among various kinds of sacred robes, Padonma lotus robe from lotus fiber is regarded as sacred. And this kind of sacred robes can only be found of Inlay Lake because Padonma lotus can only be grown in Inlay Lake. After getting the Padonma Lotus Stalks form the Lake, these stalks are cut into pieces and from these stalks, fibre can get. These fibers are rolled into a tiny thread. About 50,000 of Padonma lotus are needed to complete a robe of human size. This thread can be rolled into handlooms. The lotus stalks are plucked and then washed. Later it soaked again in rice congealed and dried. The dried yarn is again spun and then it is made ready for finally weaving into a rope. Weaving a Padonma lotus robe is very time consuming and it has to work laboriously so it's no doubt its very expensive. The quality of this Padonma lotus is light, fragrant and suitable for all seasons. And if you have a chance, do come and visit Inlay Lake and you can study the process of weaving Padonma Lotus robe. |
Note: The lotus weaving can see:
- At Nan Pan village in Inle lake
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| Shan Umbrella Making |
 There is a scenic little town by the small lake of Pindaya named after Pindaya town. Somewhere in the southeast corner of the Shan State, set in a plain surrounded by mountains, this little town has been famous for a natural cave where more than 9,000 statues of the Lord Buddha are enshrined. Pindaya is also known for its umbrellas, especially those with a canopy of paper. It is indeed a sight to watch a Pindaya craftsman making a Pindaya umbrella. Every part of the umbrella - the hub, the shaft, the ribs, the handle are hand crafted and the Indian trumpet, which goes by the botanical name of Bignonia indicia, is the wood of choice for these parts. First the hub is cut and grooved accordingly on a foot-operated turner lathe. Then it is fixed to one end of the shaft. Next the ribs are fitted into the grooves on the hub and the underside of the ribs is then decorated with intricate patterns of woolen threads of various colors. The lengths of the ribs and that of the shaft are then adjusted as required. With this framework completed, the craftsman goes on fixing the canopy over the ribs. The material for the canopy may be either paper or cloth, depending on one's taste and choice. If it is to be  paper, then two layers of a kind of coarse paper made from mulberry pulp are stuck onto the ribs with glue made from the juice of a certain fruit. The color of the product is light brown but one may order the color of one's choice. In order that the umbrella may be furled or unfurled smoothly, the stiff paper or cloth has to be folded by hand to get the creases in the right places. Finally fix the cap above the hub, the catch at the right place on the shaft and the handle and ready to have a truly handcrafted Pindaya umbrella! For durability, just give the canopy a good coating of crude oil and the umbrella will be yours for all seasons: to adorn your parlor or to protect you from sun and rain. |
Note: Umbrella making can see:
- In Inle lake
- Pindaya village
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| SHAN PAPER MAKING |
 Myanmar is endowed with beautiful natural scenic spots. Especially, Shan state (North), the residing place of the Shan nationalities is rich with green environs. In Shan state, many plants and trees, which are beneficial to mankind, grow in large numbers. Paper can be made from a kind of fibre and the local people can make a living out of them. First, the bark is exposed in the sun and soaked in water for a night. Then it is mixed with water, lime and ash and boiled heated. Ten viss of raw material are boiled for about one day. Afterwards, it is beaten with wooden slab and stirred while keeping in bamboo tube. When they become crumbled, pour them on a large cotton sieve with a wooden frame, and separated them to get smooth paper. Then, these are exposed in the sun for about five to fifteen minutes and pieces of paper are obtained. A five-member family can make 300 to 500 sheets of paper a day. The papers are delicate and can folded easily like a piece of cloth and they can soak water. Because you can find the raw material all around the country, this kind of cottage industry involving paper making is carried widely only in the Shan states. |
Note: Shan paper making can see:
- In Inle lake
- Pindaya village
- In Heho, on the way to Airport
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| Traditional Myanmar Pickled Tea |
 Tea Leaf Pickled, which is served at table for the guests, has been for a long time as Myanma Traditional food. Myanmar people always prepare Tea Leaf Pickled not only for the guests but for themselves at home. Although its taste is not very strong and sweet, Myanmar people love Tea Leaf Pickled. To serve the guests with friendly greetings is one of the Myanma Traditional customs and we keep this custom since ancient times. Tea Leaf Pickled is a product of southern Shan State. Tea Leaf Pickled has become much more commercialized in recent years. Beautiful packaging and packing cases of Tea Leaf Pickled are exported to many different countries. Main ingredients together with Tea Leaf Pickled are fried-peas, crisped-garlic, fried-peanuts and sesame. The old like “Pwe Thai Thut ” which is usually served at occasions and weddings. Prepared Tea Leaf Pickled, fried-beans, dried-prawn and dried small water insets piled separately and enjoy own choice. The young like Tea Leaf Pickled Salad, which eaten friends gathering at the weekends and holidays. More ingredients such as cabbage, tomatoes and chilly are used in the salad. Tea Leaf Pickled is a dessert as well as a slide dish. It is more flavor than eaten with rice. So Myanmar people and Tea Leaf Pickled cannot be separated. Serving Myanma Traditional Tea Leaf Pickled is an old custom of Myanmar nationals depicting kindness hospitality and love. |
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Can try at the Palm cottage on the way to Mt.Popa or some of the cottage at Inle Lake.
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| The role of toddy palm |
 There are three kinds of season in Myanmar rainy season, dry season and hot season. Several places of our country thickly covered and surrounded by trees and forests. Various kinds of trees and plants are growing in Myanmar. Among those trees, toddy palms are great important role of Myanmar people. Toddy palm is member of palm family. The name of botanical term is Palmceae or Palmy. Which comprise 1500 species of palms family. Some of those species are coconut palm, betel – nut palm, data palm (dessert palm tree) soon. Toddy palm, which is usually grow tropical dry zones. A few toddy palms can grow lower parts of Myanmar. It likes tropical climate and lower annual rainfall of central Myanmar. So it grows a lots in upper Myanmar near the ancient city of Bagan somewhere east of the Tuyin hill, there are many small villages that depend on the toddy-palm trees for their livelihood. Together with the rising morning sun, a bullock cart sets to fetch water for their daily consumption. These goats rose for the second income for the family. The smoke rises from the chimney. Average high of toddy palm is about 17 m to 25 m and life span is about 150, 200 years. Toddy palm trunks are dark and tall, but without any branches. Which leaves are big and wide like a fan shape. Very nice and pleasant toddy farms are symbol of the central Myanmar. In Myanmar, religious buildings, pagoda and temple and other monument s are major landmarks of Myanmar people as well as toddy palms are prominent feature viewing Myanmar rural peoples. Toddy palms divided into two categories, which are Male and female toddy palm. Both male and female toddy palms are very useful for Myanmar rural dwellers. Toddy juice can be collected from spandex or "Htan – noe "not only female and but also male toddy palm. Female toddy palm can be toddy fruits. However, male toddy palm cannot bean toddyfruit. That is why both male and female toddy palms are litter different. The whole parts of toddy palm are very useful without wasting any things. Toddy forms are one off the scenic beauty of the upper rural areas. If you are going to visit to tropical dry zone, you can see toddy palms and toddy palm climber. The life of toddy plant climber is too hard and dangerous. A man who climbs up the toddy plant called a toddy topper. The young child prepares the earthen pots that are to use for toddy-sap collection. The construction of ladder is about 15 feet in length, it also very skillfully done.   Fibers of the toddy-palm used to secure the ladder's steps. This ladder drawn up to the top of the tree and fastens firmly to the middle branch. Tie the ladder in the middle is dangerous because the climber's life is entirely dependent on his left hand and his right foot. Techniques and experience is handed down by the ancestors over generations are the key factors to the skillful livelihood. Another ladder about 25 feet long carried from one tree to another in order to link up with the upper portion when they want to climb up to the top. The flesh form the toddy palm is only the sap is required. The first stock has to brew with the specially made iron tool to get an abundant flow. Male-tree treated differently with another type of specially designed wooden plant. Then it pressed from tip to end with this instrument. Moreover, the tips are cut-off after tied together. The sap collected with the earthen pot. Both processes need great experience. |
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| The role of toddy palm |
A climber has to climb at least eight trees twice a day at regular periods in order to collect the sap regardless of the weather- rain, sun and wind. All the daily sap collected and brought to the hut it is here that the jaggery made. Toddy plant climber, he requires small-earthed pots, special shaped knife, small ladder rope and other required tools. Previous years ago, a toddy palm trunk utilized as massive house pillars and military fort. King Alaung Phaya, who was the founder of 3rd Myanmar Empire, was constructed large and strong military fort by utilized toddy palm trunks. That is why, toddy palms are become versatile tree for Myanmar people. Toddy palm climber, who must have well – skill and full experience in his work – site. During the reign of King Anawrahta, Nga Htwe Yue, who were the most skillful toddy palm climber as well as one of the military heroes. Toddy palm climber, who climb up the top of the toddy palm to collect toddy juice twice a day, early morning and later afternoon. The taste of the toddy juice is sweet before afternoon, but in the afternoon, it is ferment and becomes sour because of chemical changing. By doing this, we get toddy juice. We can drink both sweet toddy juice and fermented toddy sap. Some time the women and youngsters help on the ground with the earthen pots. Slight calcium put into the pot to purify and prevent the sap from going sour. Fermented toddy sap is somewhat intoxicated like liquors, it makes dizzy Thee is a Myanmar proverb, "stealing of buffalo come out, while toddy – drinker was being intoxicated". .And another thing from the fresh toddy juice can make Jaggery (palm sugar). After collecting of toddy juice poured into the big and wide iron – pan, then it boiled with firewood. While boiling toddy are getting thick and stick condition. About 4 (or) 5 pans filled with sap are boiled down to the ratio of 10 to 1 on long stove until it becomes syrup. A mixture of bean husk, cow dump and chip palm leaves used to manipulate the heating temperature. We get palm sugar syrup. When the syrup becomes thick, a large wooden spoon is used, and stirs continuously, finally jaggery is rolled into small lump by hand and let to solidify Approximately, 30 viss is produced everyday. By the way, in the ancient time people use the toddy palm syrup for construction of ancient and temples as mortar and plaster. It made by small solid pieces of jaggery. Then it placed into the open space of sunshine. By doing this, we get brownish jaggery. It was delectable sweet with hot green tea. Major products of toddy palm are jaggery and toddy juice. Myanmar some snacks and light foods are made by jaggery . For example, fried sweet pancake ( Moun hsi gio), spongy cake (Monn Baun) and so on…
Toddy palm roots are came from planting of mature and dried toddy seeds. Mature toddy palm roots can got by digging out of ground. We can have it by roasting or boiling. At the rural and seasonal festivals, we can see different kinds of toddy palm products are displayed and trading. Other products are weaving and making of arm – chairs, baskets, mats, hats, toys, fans, small and big container boxes and various kinds of finished products. Toddy palm leaves utilized by roofing and covered rural houses. During the reign of ancient Myanmar Kings, toddy palm leave inscribed and recorded by Buddha's sermon, doctrines, sculptures, astrological term and Myanmar indigenous medical term. Therefore, astrologers are still using the palm bud as horoscope. That why toddy palms not only rural dwellers, but also very important role for Myanmar people.
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Note: Palm making can see:
- On ways to Mt.Popa, around the Tuyin hill.
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| Myanmar traditional gold leaf works |
 Gold leaf works is a cottage industry that has existed since the time of ancient Myanmar monarchs. Gold leaf is mostly used for offering to pagodas. Myet-pah ward in Mandalay Maha Aung Myay Township is the hub of gold leaf works. In making gold leaf, first of all, refined pieces of gold are to be liquefied and turned them into gold bar. In doing so, the gold is heated and pressed to stretch it. This process is done until the gold piece weighing one and half ticals is stretched up to a length of 36 inches and a width of one inch. This is cut into small pieces each measuring one-by-two inches. A small piece is then divided equally into six smaller pieces which were placed on a special kind of gold colored paper. Altogether 1,150 gold colored papers with gold leaves are then piled up and put into a small leather bag.
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Steps of making of gold leaf
- Grinding 3 tickles (1.928 oz) of gold bullion till it becomes a 0.75 inches ribbon of 20 feet long.
- The, cut the ribbon into four equal pieces of 5 feet in length.
- One such 5 feet ribbon is again cut into 200 equal pieces that are then wrapped up in a heap of bamboo – made paper with every piece of gold separated by a layer of paper.
- These 200 pieces of wrapped gold make a unit.
- A unit of packed gold pieces is hammered with a 6 lb hammer for about half an hour.
- Cut each enlarge gold flake into six equal pieces and warp them in the bamboo – made paper as have done before.
- Thus, we get 1200 small gold flakes that are packs as one unit.
- The packed unit of 1200 gold flakes is beaten again with a 6 lb hammer for about half an hour.
- After that, every five gold flakes out of 1200 are made in to three.
- Thus, we get a total of 720 flakes that are wrapped again in (5.5 x 5.5) inches bamboo – made papers as in stage 1.
- Then, they are hammered with a 6 lb hammer for about 5 hours.
- The gold flakes in this stage are called gold leaves that are cut into require sizes (2 x2, 1.5 x 1.5, 1.75 x 1.75) inches.
- Then, paste them onto the hay – made paper and packed up with thread.
- The ready – to – offer gold leaf is thus made.
- This is the final stage as well as the most important stage.
- While the beating is going on, the time is counted with a clepsydra or water clock, which is made of a halved coconut – shell cup with small hole at its bottom through which the water leaks in.
- The gold beater has to finish 120 strokes before the cup is full.
- It usually takes an hour to have the cup filled with water 18 times.
- It requires three persons to take turns in beating a unit of gold leaf.
- The first one has to beat it so that the paper package becomes hot, the second to make the size of gold flakes wrapped in the package expanded, the third to make gold flakes not to sticks onto the paper.
- Normally, three beaters take about five hours to finish beating a unit of gold leaf.
- However, the beating time may very due to the changes in temperature of the working place.
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| Making a bamboo paper |
 Firstly, we need to take the bamboo without hole. This bamboo must be one year old. After cutting out bamboo about 10 inches, and take off the shell of it. And then make a very thin sheet and put in to the pot with the lime and water. This bamboo must be put in to the lime for 3 years. After 3 years take out the bamboo and boil it for 72 hours (3 days) nonstop. After boiling, take the bamboo out and beat with the wooden hammer. It takes for 2 days After that we get a soft pulp. And then we mix with the water and put in to the cotton frame, this cotton frame is to fit the pulp of the bamboo and to dry into sun light. After drying we get a normal bamboo paper. After that we cut 6 inches square size, and they put onto the bronze (or) copper flat and beat with the wooden stick. Then the color of the bronze goes into paper and we get very strong and very smooth paper, called bamboo paper.
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| Art of silver smith |
 Silver smith is one of the most popular handicrafts among the ten Myanmar Traditional Arts and Crafts. There are two types of goldsmith and silversmith. The most popular silversmith came from Ywahtaung, Sagaing, in Central Myanmar. When making silversmith products, you first have to mix silver with 5% copper. Cleansed silver is harder than gold but to make silver wears, it is still too soft. When mixing silver with a bit of copper, there is no color change but when liquefied with high degree of heat, metals or copper are harder than silver thus making silverwares possible. After the mixed substance of silver and copper is liquefied it is turned into slabs in set ratio. To get the slabs you have them pass through the press or slab machines for grinding t. To get the right mixture of slabs, you have to put it in the designed moulds. Then you have to shape it into the designs you need by using hammers that is used to make the silverwares. But at times, when pieces have to be joined by welding it to get the shape you want and sometimes, double welding may be needed. So, it is very important that when you are welding the second time, due to overheating and because the products could not stand the heat, it could be spoilt. So, that is one of the most important stages in making silverware. After that step comes the finishing process where the art of carving, as well as the art of lapidary and delicate tracery of floral work comes in. First, the designs have to be drawn with a pencil and thence, the tracing and lapidary work is done to get delicate silverwares. Experts to complete the finished products used special chisels. In silverwares, the art style of convoluted lotus stems, buds, blossoms are depicted. Expert's touch is needed to complete the job. In the final stages, seal waxing has to be mixed in the silver and allowed cool for durability. Not only that art of painting and silver is being used in making decorative work in relief with stucco, two of the Myanmar ten traditional arts and craft are being used in making silverware. Mostly, floral accents used in the middle part of the pagodas widely use silverwares. In the final stages of this art, the cleansing of the finished products takes place. Waxing seals molded are then mixed with Surphuric Acid mixed with water for cleansing. Brushes are used for cleaning. After that Sagyin rocks are used for the second cleaning. It is noted also that silver does not go with sulphur and it turned black once it comes in contact with Sulphur. Shops selling silverwares are so very attractive and spacious. Varieties of silverwares are displayed for sale. Not only floral designs or designs depicting the Jataka stories but there are silverwares in antique designs which attract many foreigners. Moreover, old silver coins are also being displayed for sale. Huge silver bowls and various other sizes with superb handicrafts and using the very best quality silver are on sale that attracts many visitors far and near. That is why residents of Ywahtaung, Sagaing, are so proud of their traditional handicraft and best quality silverwares they are producing which in turn enhance the nation's foreign exchange income in a way.
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City Golf Course
