Top 10 Unique Cultural Aspects of the Myanmar People

Myanmar sits at the crossroads of two great cultures, and this influence is not only reflected in its religion and traditions but also in its cuisine. Since the colonial era, both Chinese and Indian cultures have greatly shaped Myanmar's traditional cuisine, resulting in a creative fusion of flavors. Despite the global spread of famous international dishes, Myanmar’s citizens still hold their traditional cuisine in high esteem. The uniqueness of their culinary heritage remains intact today.

The people of Myanmar typically have two meals a day, at 9 AM and 5 PM, with lunch being a lighter meal. Their meals often include vegetables, shrimp, and fish, as they believe the meal is incomplete without these ingredients. Instead of using chopsticks, the people of Myanmar use their hands to eat, with a bowl of water placed in front of them to wash their hands before eating. It is customary to eat with the right hand, as the left hand is reserved for personal hygiene. Additionally, it's important to note that Buddhists in Myanmar do not eat beef, and Muslims do not consume pork.

In traditional Myanmar villages, temples serve as the cultural heart of community life. Monks are highly revered, and people show their respect by kneeling before them. The shinbyu ceremony, marking the most significant rite of passage for a young boy who temporarily becomes a monk, symbolizes the transition to adulthood. Girls also celebrate maturity with a rite involving ear-piercing. The essence of Myanmar’s culture is most apparent in the villages, where local festivals are held throughout the year, with the temple festival being the most prominent.

Anyone traveling to Myanmar knows that visiting the country’s temples is a must. This Southeast Asian nation is home to some of the world’s most sacred and beautiful temples, reflecting the deep devotion to Buddhism that the people hold. Whether in cities or towns, you’ll find at least one temple and Buddhist monastery. Across the country, thousands of pagodas, temples, and stupas are scattered, which is why Myanmar is often referred to as the “Land of Pagodas.” Whether you're a Buddhist or simply curious about the culture and architecture, exploring the five most famous temples – Shwedagon Pagoda, Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda, Shwemawdaw Paya, Kuthodaw Pagoda – is an essential experience.

When you think of Myanmar, you probably picture glittering golden pagodas, barefoot monks in their red robes, and ancient ruins scattered across the land. But Myanmar is also well-known for its vibrant festivals. When visiting Myanmar, be sure to experience the Thingyan festival, traditional music festivals, the Shwedagon Pagoda festival, and the Phaung Daw U festival. Myanmar is famous for its many celebrations, with festivals taking place throughout the year. The country boasts one of the richest festival calendars in the world, with peak festivities happening in March and April, coinciding with the local New Year.

Unlike Vietnam and other parts of the world, Myanmar celebrates the New Year with the Water Festival, where people splash water on each other in hopes of washing away the misfortunes of the past year and welcoming in a new, lucky, and happy year. Another notable celebration is the ordination festival, which underscores the country's deep respect for Buddhism. This ceremony takes place regularly throughout the year at monasteries, with children being ordained as novice monks, fulfilling a cultural and religious tradition. Parents hope that their children will become monks at least once in their lifetime to bring honor to their families and cultivate good Buddhist practices. During these ceremonies, the children are adorned in elaborate outfits, resembling princes and princesses, before being paraded through the streets to the monastery. Additionally, Myanmar hosts many other unique festivals, such as the puppet art festival, the Phaung Daw U festival, the sticky rice cooking festival, and the Ko Gyi Kyaw deity festival.

The people of Myanmar believe that Thanaka is an exceptional traditional cosmetic that helps protect the skin from the sun, reduces wrinkles, prevents excess oil, and leaves the skin smooth and refreshed. Thanaka is a universal beauty product, not restricted to any specific age or gender. Wherever you go in Myanmar, you will encounter various creative patterns of Thanaka paste on people's faces. It is actually a cream made from the bark of the Thanaka tree, a species also known as the Elephant Apple tree, which thrives in central Myanmar, as well as in Southeast Asia. This slow-growing tree is well-suited to dry, rocky soils and environments with limited water. While other countries may use the bark, leaves, roots, flowers, and fruit for medicinal purposes, the people of Myanmar use Thanaka as part of their daily beauty routine. The wood of the Thanaka tree is also used to create handmade products such as combs and boxes, in addition to being processed into cosmetic powder.

After harvesting, the Thanaka wood is cut into short, manageable pieces. The locals then rub these pieces against a stone slab, adding water (known as kyauk pyin) to extract the powder. The resulting powder has a cooling effect and purifies the skin. This soft, light powder is applied by women in Myanmar to their faces and other sun-exposed areas to act as sunscreen. Thanaka powder has a long history, dating back to the 14th century in world literature. Evidence shows that Myanmar women have used Thanaka for over 2,000 years as a natural beauty remedy known for soothing the skin, providing sun protection, stimulating collagen production, and improving skin elasticity. In addition, Thanaka powder helps exfoliate the skin, with anti-inflammatory properties that combat acne, blackheads, and tightens pores effectively.

Similar to the Vietnamese, the people of Myanmar also have the tradition of chewing betel nut. This practice, rooted in agriculture, is an intriguing cultural aspect. Unlike many other Southeast Asian countries, Myanmar has remained less modernized, which is why betel nut chewing can be seen everywhere, from rural areas to urban centers, and among both the elderly and the youth. It has become an ingrained part of daily life. People of all ages—men, women, children—can be seen chewing betel nut. Whether they are working, resting, playing chess, or even waiting at traffic lights, chewing betel nut is a common sight. Each person has their own way of consuming it; some swallow the juice, while others spit it out.

If you visit Myanmar, don’t be surprised to see bright red stains of betel nut juice in public places, even in luxury hotels. Spitting out betel juice in the middle of the street is a regular occurrence, and while it may seem unsanitary, it’s a common practice akin to smoking in many places. Betel nut chewing is so deeply ingrained in Myanmar culture that it’s even a form of business—numerous shops sell fresh or prepared betel nuts. Locals often gather at these small roadside shops to drink, chew betel nut, sing, and socialize.

In Myanmar, names are not derived from family surnames but are based on the day of the week a person is born, with each day symbolized by an animal, such as the Phoenix, Dragon, Lion, Elephant, Rabbit, Mouse, or Snake. This naming system is closely tied to the way people are addressed, with prefixes added to their names to indicate gender, age, status, and position. For instance, young men and children use the term 'mao' (meaning 'younger brother') as a sign of humility. For peers or older men, 'gua' is used, while for elders, 'u' (meaning 'uncle') is common. Women are addressed with 'daw,' meaning 'older sister' or 'aunt.' The naming process is simple and does not exceed 100 characters, making it easy to create a name that’s easy to call. As a result, many people share the same name, and to differentiate individuals, titles, occupations, or positions are often added to their names.

Similar to many other nations, Myanmar's traditional cultural arts are distinct and leave a strong impression. The traditional Myanmar orchestra is remarkable not only for the variety of instruments but also for its unique and captivating sounds. Known as Saing Waing, the orchestra consists of numerous instruments, including drums, gongs (Kyi Waing), bamboo bells (Pattala), cymbals, wind instruments, and string instruments. The Pat Waing is a large drum ensemble consisting of twenty-one drums, while the smaller drum set includes nine drums.

The wind section features the hnè (oboe) and flutes, with the hnè producing a high-pitched tone. The gong section includes nine pieces, and sometimes, a set of rectangular gongs replaces the traditional round gongs. Myanmar also boasts other impressive ethnic instruments such as the Sidaw (large drum) for major ceremonies, ozi (vase-shaped drum) and dobat (rice drum) used during village festivals, and the bonshay (long drum) and bongyi (bass drum) played during harvest and seasonal festivals.

Gender inequality remains prevalent in Myanmar society, with certain sacred temples prohibiting women from approaching Buddha statues, entering areas reserved for men, or even applying gold leaf to holy items. There are strict cultural beliefs, such as the idea that a woman resting her head on a man's arm will cause him to lose strength and mental clarity. The head is seen as a symbol of respect, so it is considered inappropriate for anyone to touch someone else’s head, even a child’s. In Myanmar, handing something with the left hand is viewed as disrespectful, so it’s recommended to offer items with the right hand or both hands if possible.

Visitors are not allowed to eat, drink, or stay overnight at temples, and climbing tall pagodas is prohibited. Despite how picturesque the views might be, visitors should not attempt to climb or take photos. Pointing at someone's feet is considered extremely rude in Myanmar, especially if directed at a Buddha statue. Feet are regarded as the most impolite part of the body, so it’s also forbidden to place one’s feet on any objects or structures.

Every country has its own traditional clothing that reflects the lifestyle and culture of its people. Myanmar is no exception, with unique traditional attire that showcases the culture and character of its people. Myanmar's traditional clothing is distinct for men and women. Men typically wear the Longchy, a type of sarong that wraps around the waist and is tied at the center. It is paired with a shirt or a traditional Taipon jacket. For women, the outfit is called the Thummy, which resembles skirts worn in Laos or Thailand. Both Longchy and Thummy are quite simple, typically consisting of a 2-meter piece of fabric, with plain or checkered material for men and brightly colored, patterned fabrics for women. The fabric is quickly wrapped around the waist to form a skirt or trousers (usually reaching the ankle). An interesting aspect is that the Longchy for men is often re-adjusted due to its simple tying style, as it tends to shift with movement. Even more fascinating is that the Longchy and Thummy can be pulled up to serve as makeshift rain or sun protection, or even fashioned into a solid headgear for women carrying goods. Both men and women typically wear Lao-style sandals with their traditional attire.

The Myanmar government encourages its citizens to preserve their cultural heritage, which is why the country is known for its distinctive and unique traditional dress and customs. Unlike in many countries, where traditional clothing is worn only during festivals or special occasions, people in Myanmar wear these garments daily. This is partly due to the clothing’s suitability for Myanmar's hot climate. The people of Myanmar do not concern themselves with elaborate fashion, and daily life is simple. Myanmar women rarely wear makeup, instead using Thanakha powder as sunscreen and a natural form of beauty treatment. Thanakha is made from the bark of the Thanakha tree, which is ground into a paste with water on a stone slab and applied to the face. This powder is believed to be the most effective natural sunscreen, skincare, and cosmetic solution for women in Myanmar. Applying Thanakha to the skin provides a refreshing, cool sensation and a soft, pleasant fragrance. Myanmar women are known for their bright smiles, which leaves a lasting impression on visitors.

Myanmar language, also known as Burmese, is the official language of Myanmar. It is the native language of the Burmese people and is spoken by around 32 million people worldwide. Additionally, it serves as a second language for many of the country's ethnic minorities. The language can be divided into two main forms: the formal version, which is typically used in written texts, media, and official communications, and the colloquial version, which is spoken in daily conversations. The script used in Myanmar is derived from the Mon script.

Burmese is the official language of Myanmar, spoken by the majority of the population, including the Rakhine people. Like its formal and informal variants, the written form of the language is rooted in the Mon script, which was adapted and developed to fit the phonetics of the Burmese language. The formal language is predominantly used in literature, formal events, and broadcasts, while the everyday speech is more relaxed and informal in nature.