11 Interesting Facts About Myanmar(Burma)

Every country has its own way of being beautiful and unique! It is the reason why every place we visit leaves an impression which remains in our hearts for a very long time.

In a very brief visit to Yangon, Myanmar, I stumbled upon some interesting facts which helped me understand and appreciate this country even more. Here are 11 things about Myanmar you might haven’t heard of yet.

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1. Thanaka (white powder) face make up

Majority of the people you will meet in Myanmar has this white powder all over their face or other parts of the body. This is actually a cosmetic paste made from the bark of a tree. This is called “Thanaka” and is used as a sunblock, anti ageing, acne preventing and skin tightening agent.

Girls with Thanaka

Thanaka wood

2. Shwedagon Pagoda

This Pagoda is a candidate UNESCO World Heritage site. It is believed to have been constructed more than 2600 years ago and contains relics from 4 previous buddhas. This site is 114 acres wide with a main pagoda which is 110 meters tall. The main pagoda is covered with hundreds of tons of gold from generations of donations and offerings by the Burmese people. It is also decorated with thousands of precious stones, the largest is a 76 carat diamond placed on top of the Pagoda called "The Diamond Bud". During evening, these diamonds reflect different colors which visitors come to witness.

The Shwedagon Pagoda entrance

The 110 meter tall Pagoda

The 76 carat "Diamond Bud" placed on top of the main pagoda

3. Betel nut and tobacco chewing

The roads and walls are oftentimes covered with red stains. Don’t mistake it as paint, it is actually saliva from men chewing betel nut and tobacco. It has been a traditional pastime for the Burmese to chew Betel Quids. This is a green betel leaf, filled with areca nuts, spices, lime and tobacco, folded up into a small piece.

In the Philippines, the Igorot tribes in the North also chew tobacco and betel nut as pastime and a way of warming their bodies due to the cold weather in the uplands.

A Burmese man chewing betel

4. The “Longyi” fashion

In Myanmar, they have a traditional dress called “Longyi”. It is a cloth often sewn into a cylindrical shape and worn around the waist, running to the feet. Both Burmese men and women were these as a regular clothing at home, in office, in malls and outdoors.

A Burmese men and woman walking inside the mall wearing Longyi

5. People wear slippers (Hnyat-phanat) even at work

They have a traditional slipper called Hnyat-phanat which they wear during normal and special days. It is usual to see people wearing sandals/slippers in the malls, parks, schools and even inside corporate spaces.

Men and women wearing traditional the Longyi and slippers

6. They take off their shoes when entering an office

We thought this tradition only applies to homes. But in Myanmar, you must take off your shoes before entering an office. Do not be surprised seeing racks of footwear outside the office premises.

Shoes and slippers left outside the office

7. Crows and Pigeons everywhere!

In other countries, it is typical to see pigeons roaming around the city. But in Yangon, you will not only see flocks of pigeons but even crows flying all over the place. There are so many of them that at every side there are birds flying or feasting on the garbage people throw out.

One reason why there are lots of birds even in the city is because of a Burmese tradition where people buy birds to set free. They believe this will bring good karma and blessings.

Birds flying around Yangon

Power lines serve as resting place for birds

8. US Dollar Bills are used for regular transactions in shops

US dollar is a preferred currency in Myanmar. Most establishments accept both US dollar and local currency bills as payments. You do not need to exchange your dollar into Kyat, you may keep them and still be able to buy products and services easily. US dollar bills are commonly used for bigger transactions such as hotel bills while Kyat bills can be used in fairs, shopping and etc.

9. People do not eat or pass things using the left hand

Burmese people believe that the left hand is used in toilet activities. So it would be impolite to use it in eating or handing over something to another person.

A family enjoying meal together

10. Myanmar was previously governed by a Military Junta

After the dissolve of the Military Junta which controlled the country for 5 long decades from 1962 to 2011, Myanmar is now a democratic republic. The country has opened itself to economic partnerships with other nations. The country’s famous leader Aung San Suu Kyi who inspired the nation’s fight for democracy now serves as the State Counsellor, a role relative to a Prime Minister.

State counselor Aung San Suu Kyi

11. The old city buildings tell about British Colonial Era

Myanmar gained independence from its colonizer (United Kingdom) in 1948. It was named as Burma which was eventually changed to Myanmar by the Military government. More than 5 decades since then, the city of Yangon still hosts buildings constructed during the colonial era- an existing reminder of the nation's journey towards freedom.