Soccer is also popular throughout cities and villages alike. Despite protests and elections (held in 1990), the junta continued to rule the country unilaterally. The new capital is Naypyidaw, a planned city that was largely finished in 2012. Burma, officially called the Union of Burma, is the largest country by area located in Southeast Asia. This is primarily due to the mixture of ethnicities in this area near Sagaing, and also because the nearly 80 different language variants make speaking Naga incomprehensible, even to other Naga. Get guidance on how to dress, how to eat and how to address local people. During World War II, Burma was a key battleground; the 800-mile Burma Road was the Allies' vital supply line to China. The culture of Myanmar can be both seen– thanks to the plethora of beautiful pagodas and stupas, spirits and Buddha images, woven designs and clothing, architecture, and gardens – as well as felt through every interaction with these friendly, kind, and dignified people. Along with the US and Liberia, it is one of three countries that don’t use the metric system, Kissing sounds are used to get waiters attention, Don’t get a haircut on Monday, Friday, or your birthday. Outside of Rangoon (which is now known as Yangon) and Mandalay, pretty much everyone was rejecting the Mongols, the British, and the Burmese military. They consider themselves one of the earliest adopters of the teachings of Gautama Buddha, following the introduction of Buddhism to Myanmar via South Asia. The monarchy was not destined to remain in control of a united Burma, however, and in 1824 the British invaded and colonized the country. Burmese food is known for its use of many fish products, with seafood commonplace along the coast. Make sure you eat lots of Shan noodles while you’re in the country. Min-gala- bar! Excellence of taste in the fine arts and humanities, also known as high culture. Despite a resurgent Empire in the early 1800’s under King Bodawpaya, the end of the century saw Myanmar under the sway of a foreign ruler. But celebrating pre-Christian holidays is also fairly commonplace. Therefore, the population in Burma is lowered. Japanese rule wasn’t ended until 1945, by which time the land had been deeply harmed. While humans lived in Myanmar thousands of years ago, it wasn’t until the 2nd century BCE that organized city-states began to emerge. Kayah people of all faiths tend to come together to enjoy the religious Kay Htein Bo Festival, a celebration of thanksgiving for the blessings of that year. Hailing mainly from the Chin State, but found all around the country, the Chin is one of the largest ethnic groups in Myanmar. Myanmar is a … History. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to … Following this, various small centers of power were located all around Myanmar. An integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behavior. No Smoking in Public Places Source Now for a healthy fact about Bhutan. They also hold various cultural festivals, including the Karen New Year and Karen Wrist Tying. Check out these great options! Filed Under: Asia, CULTURAL EXPLORATION, Ecotourism & Green Living Blog, ECOTOURISM DESTINATIONS. Most live in Rakhine State on Myanmar’s western coast. These include Protestant Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. There’s also a large Mon population in Thailand, and the Thai royal family is descended from the Mon. Nat spirit shrines are located in all villages, townships, pagoda precincts, and next to important village places such as banyan trees and dams. The rest of the country was in the hands of ethnic minority rebel armies and warlords. Qawwali and Ghazal are the nation’s auditory treasures. Over the next few decades, the British took more territory and the Kingdom of Burma’s royal palace in Mandalay became a British fort. This period also saw the spread of Buddhism throughout the Empire, a legacy that remains in place today. World's largest independently owned Ecotourism / Green Travel / Sustainable Travel / Animal & Wildlife Conservation site. Learn Myanmar facts for kids. READ MORE: 10 Ancient Archaeological Sites (World Travel Bucket List). Here are 15 Interesting Facts About Myanmar (Burma) 1. Unfortunately for the Pagan’s, Mongol invasions in the 13. century collapsed the Empire – with two competing, though lesser rivals taking its place in later years. Despite a landmass of 261,227 square miles, the 2014 census found a population of only around 51 million. The Karen are an ethnic group from Burma (Myanmar), many of whom fled Burma due to religious and ethnic persecution by the government. . Initially under the purview of British India (with significant interest from the East India Company as well as discontent amongst the populace), Burma became a separately administered colony in 1937. Myanmar's Politics, Economy, and Government Kim Ballon. Again, Naga refers to various subgroups who share cultural and linguistic similarities. Similarly, widespread human rights violations have been reported against detractors and different groups within Myanmar at the hands of the regime. 1. More so than most other ethnic groups in Myanmar, the Karen people are a loose grouping of different subgroups, each with its own distinct language, religion, and traditions. Contents • Introduction • Language, Music and dance • Religion and festivals • Sports • Food • Travel and people • Conclusion 4. Looking for essential Travel Gear? Myanmar’s culture also is an amalgam of royal and common traditions. Please contact us at info@GreenTravelMedia.com for more info. Burmese culture incorporates a number of folk traditions that include drama (called pwe ) based on stories of the former lives of the Buddha, highly percussive traditional music and dance influenced by that of southern India. The Bible was one of the first texts to be written in the newly-formed Wa script. The Kachin were historically well-known for their prowess in battle. Glorious vegetables in a spicy bean paste. All hosted affiliate links follow our editorial policies. Myanmar, also called Burma, country, located in the western portion of mainland Southeast Asia.In 1989 the country’s official English name, which it had held since 1885, was changed from the Union of Burma to the Union of Myanmar; in the Burmese language the country has been known as Myanma (or, more precisely, Mranma Prañ) since the 13th century. Burma’s name change Burma also identified as Myanmar. There are significant populations of Shan across the Thai border. With a total area of 261,970 square miles, Myanmar is the largest country in mainland Southeast Asia, and … The importance of presenting this data electronically, is that published information concerning the arts and culture of Burma is not easily obtained. Burmese culture has also been influenced by its neighbours. The Burmese people have commonly viewed the Naga as headhunters, and they’re correct: Anthropologists have recorded Naga headhunting as recently as 1969! The largest ethnic group in the country is the Burmans, who are believed to make up well over half of Myanmar’s population (around 54 million). Myanmar Culture and Tradition. READ MORE: The 20 Best Festivals in the World. The Hinduism constitutes 0.5% of the total population in the country. It was in Burma, that Orde Wingate and the Chindits found fame and it was in Burma where the Japanese Army suffered serious military setbacks that led to them retreating back east. But Myanmar visitors typically enjoy meeting the diverse peoples of this deeply spiritual, but also deeply divided nation. Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols instead of Burmese script. Myanmar culture is one of the most interesting in Southeast Asia. Burmese expansionism in the late eighteenth century caused strife with China, but it was Burmese general Maha Bandula’s conquest of Assam in 1824 that would pit Burma against an enemy that would come to occupy it – Britain. When people think about culture, they often think about the visible aspects of “traditional culture”. READ MORE: The Largest Lakes in the World. Betel leaves are a mild stimulant that the locals like to chew on for … Most live in Rakhine State on Myanmar’s western coast. Burma comes from the Burmese word "Bamar," which is the local word for Myanmar. The Kachin are actually a collection of various subgroups who all share common characteristics, and  there are believed to be six main groups in Myanmar. Characteristics of a Burma grow kit. Their fierce warrior tradition has long been feared among lowland and central Myanmar peoples. Travelers who visit Myanmar are sure to be immediately struck by the richness of the country’s culture. April 1, 2016, cherran, Leave a comment. Join us as we recount the history and explore the culture of Myanmar. The Shan have distinct kingdoms and princedoms in the Shan Hills, which was a separate set of Shan States within what is now Myanmar until the era of British colonization. Check out our countryprofile, full of essential information about Myanmar'sgeography, history,government, economy, population, culture, religion and languages. One of the longest running civil wars in the world is located in Burma. Myanmar’s coast is washed by the Andaman Sea, Bay of Bengal and the Gulf Moutama (Martaban). In response to the growth of French Indochina, the British annexed Burma in order to increase their colonial power in the region. READ MORE: Author Salman Rushdie on Colonialism & India’s Independence. 140,000 refugees from Burma, mostly Karen, are living in refugee camps in Thailand, some for as many as 20 years. It consists of three horizontal stripes (yellow, green, red) and white star in the middle. Another large ethnic group in Myanmar is the Karen, who live mostly in the hilly eastern areas of Myanmar (especially in the Kayin State). But they’re united by some similarities, especially language. The Rohingya people are an ethnic group from Myanmar, once called Burma. Monique blogs at Trip Anthropologist. READ MORE: How to Start a Travel Blog (& Build a Successful Online Business). The Mon people speak Mon, which shares some similarities with Khmer ( language spoken in nearby Cambodia). To this day, an estimated 90% of Myanmar’s population follows Theravada Buddhism. Under Anawrahta and his dynasty, the Pagan Kingdom grew to rival the legendary Khmer Empire for prominence in Southeast Asia. The culture of the Southeast Asian country of Myanmar has been heavily influenced by the Buddhist religion, former British colonial rule in the country, and neighboring cultures.. 7. A long and rich cultural life runs through Myanmar’s long and rich history, with Buddhist architecture the most dazzling example of this nation’s creativity. the civil wars. Stuffed Pork Skewer Many traditional villages remain, however Western culture has seen a rise in Myanmar largely due to the years of British rule. Buddhist and Bamar culture are the two primary influences when it comes to the Myanma way of life. One of these, located at the settlement of Bagan (formerly Pagan), grew in stature until it assimilated its neighbors around the mid 11, Under Anawrahta and his dynasty, the Pagan Kingdom grew to rival the legendary Khmer Empire for prominence in Southeast Asia. Until earlier this century, there were two borders of the country– the “border” that exists on maps, and the “real border,” which was the distance from the center that the military regimes controlled. Nat spirit festivals occur throughout the country, and typically involve spirit possession. The latter years of the dictatorship were also characterized by religious civil war (namely between Muslims and Christians). Naka is the Burmese word for “pierced ears,” which is a common characteristic of many members. people in Thailand or Burma. Within Myanmar, Chin women are considered to be especially beautiful, and many older women can still be seen with full-face tatooing. It is now possible for international visitors to travel around Myanmar. If visitors come Myanmar for the first time, they may be scared of red stains on the … Burma or Myanmar(Burmese:[1];officiallyRepublic of Union of Myanmar;[2]) Is acountryinSoutheast Asia.Myanmar is bordered to the northwest ofBangladeshand thenortheastofIndia, in the north ofChina, and to the east byLaosandThailand.In the southwest, it has a long coastline on theBay of Bengaland theAndaman Sea(part of theIndian Ocean). Known as Burma under British colonial rule, a name still used by many foreign governments, Myanmar was populated through three waves of migration: by the Hmon people from what is now Cambodia; by Mongol people from the eastern Himalayas; and, finally, by Thai peoples from northern Thailand. The mountains in Burma are home to many precious stones. Burma was colonized by the British, and gained independence in early 1948. In 1989 the country’s official English name, which it had held since 1885, was changed from the Union of Burma to the Union of Myanmar; in the Burmese language the country has been known as Myanma (or, more precisely, Mranma Prañ) since the 13th century. However, this victory was short-lived as a military coup in 1962 toppled the electoral system and democratically elected government. Most of the Akha in Thailand came from Burma. The face of urban Myanmar may seem to be a Burmese Buddhist one. Myanmar Culture. Author Salman Rushdie on Colonialism & India’s Independence, 10 Ancient Archaeological Sites (World Travel Bucket List), Saving Asian Animals (Best Wildlife Conservation Programs), 50 Fascinating Facts About Indian Culture, Andean Art & Music at the Otavalo Market in Otavalo, Ecuador, Top 10 Things to Do in Agra, India (For Nature Lovers), Fascinating Facts About Traditional Mongolian Culture, The Tallest Mountains in the World By Continent, Jimmy Nelson Photographs Vanishing Tribes. Despite a landmass of 261,227 square miles, the 2014 census found a population of only around 51 million.