Traditional Theme
Culture of Myanmar

Traditional Clothes

Myanmar is the only country in Southeast Asia where the majority of the population wear non-Western clothes as part of their everyday dress. Men wear ankle-length patterns of checks, plaids or stripes. To tie them they gather the front of the longyi to create two short lengths of material, and then twist them into a half-knot, tucking one end in at the waist while allowing the other to protrude from the knot; this protrusion of cloth can be allowed to hang freely or can be formed into a decorative bunch. It can even be used as a small pouch to hold money or keys. Any kind of shirt, from a T-shirt to the formal mandarin-collar eingyi, may be worn with a man’s longyi. On very formal occasions such as weddings, the gaung-baung (Bamar turban) is added to the outfit. Burmese women favor calf-length longyi in solid colors, stripes or flower prints, topped off by a form-fitting, waist-length blouse. A black waistband is stitched along the waist end, which is folded in front to form a wide pleat, then tucked behind the waistband to one side. The most expensive designs tend to feature wavy or zigzag acheiq patterns, the most rare of which are woven using a hundred or more spools of thread and called luntaya (hundred spool) acheiq. These are so thick and long-wearing they may be handed down from generation to generation like Persian rugs. Simple flip-flops with leather soles and velvet thongs are the most common footwear for both men and women. Shan-style trousers, of the same cut as those sold in Thainland as ‘fisherman’s pants’, can be found in the Shan State, particularly around Inle Lake, but also in Hsipaw. Unlike the Thai variety, those sold in Myanmar are made of thicker, hand-woven cotton and use natural dyes.

•Traditional Clothes
•Traditional Games
•Traditional Customs and Dances
•Traditional Wedding Ceremony