Culture

Cultural Influences

Although a diverse range of indigenous cultures exist in Myanmar (Burma), the majority culture is primarily Buddhist and Bamar. Bamar culture has been influenced by the cultures of neighbouring countries. This is manifested in its language, cuisine, music, dance, theatre and other cultural aspects.

The arts, particularly literature, have historically been influenced by the Burmese form of Theravada Buddhism. Considered the national epic of Myanmar, the Yama Zatdaw, an adaptation of Ramayana, has been influenced greatly by Thai, Mon, and Indian versions of the play.

Religious Influence

In a traditional Burmese village, the monastery is the centre of cultural life. Monks are venerated and supported by the lay people. A novitiation ceremony called shinbyu is the most important coming of age events for a boy when he enters the monastery for a short period of time. All boys of Buddhist family need to be a novice (beginner for Buddhism) before the age of twenty and to be a monk after the age of twenty. It is compulsory for all boys of Buddhism. The duration can be at least one week. Girls have ear-piercing ceremonies at the same time.

Colonial Influence

British colonial rule also introduced Western elements of culture to Myanmar (Burma). The country's educational system is modelled after that of the United Kingdom. Colonial architectural influences are most evident in major cities such as Yangon. Many ethnic minorities, particularly the Karen in the southeast, and the Kachin and Chin who populate the north and northwest, practice Christianity.

Architecture

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).

Dance

Pwe (performances) often feature an ancient form of dance called yo-da-ya a-ka which is an imitation of formal Thai dancing, in which a woman uses only her hands and feet to express emotions.

Dress

The traditional garment of the Burmese is called longyi, a sarong still worn by both men and women. Traditionally, Bamar men wear a short collarless jacket over a white mandarin collared shirt, while Bamar women wear a blouse and a shawl. However, these are mostly worn on more formal occasions in modern times. In urban areas, skirts and pants are becoming more common particularly among the young.

Literature

Burmese literature has been greatly influenced by Buddhism, notably the Jataka Tales. Since orthodox Buddhism prohibited fiction, many historical works are nonfiction. However, British colonisation introduced many genres of fiction which have become extremely popular today. Poetry is a prominent feature and there are several forms unique to Burmese literature.

Music

Traditional Burmese music is melodious but without harmony. Musical instruments are often assembled in an orchestra called saing waing and include:

drum circle (pat waing)
gong circle (kyi waing)
bamboo xylophone (pattala)
cymbals
wind instruments such as the hnè or oboe and flute
bamboo clappers
string instruments

An instrument unique to Myanmar is the saung-gauk, an arched harp consisting of silk strings and mica glass decorated along its neck, the history of which can be traced to pre-Hittite times.

Singing in classical times stemmed from 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 Myanmar (Burma) today, both adopted and homegrown.

Speech

In language, the Bamar are very age-oriented. The use of honorifics before personal names is the norm, and it is considered rude to call a person just by their name unless they are known from childhood. Young males are addressed as Maung or Ko (lit. brother), and older or senior men as U (lit. uncle). Likewise, young females are addressed as Ma (lit. sister), and older or senior women as Daw (lit. aunt) regardless of their marital status.

The pronouns 'you' and 'I' vary depending on whom one is speaking to and are age-dependent. Elders are spoken to in a different and more respectable manner and a special vocabulary exists for speaking to monks.

Sports

The most popular sport in Burma is football (soccer). Other sports include chinlone, an indigenous sport that utilises a rattan ball, and is played using mainly the feet and the knees, although the head and arms (but not the hands) may also be used.

Burmese kickboxing, known as Let-hwei, is also popular and tournaments may be seen at pagoda festivals. Thaing, a form of Burmese martial arts derived from the Shan is also practised, and may be divided into 2 forms: Bando (unarmed combat) and Banshay (armed combat).