3909. Cultures and lives of the Myanmar people in 2017. Dr Sing's travel stories

CULTURE 

The majority culture is Buddhist and Bamar.  Indigenous cultures include the Kachin, Chin, Shan, Inle Lake Intha people and several hill tribes. 

In traditional villages, the monastery is the centre of cultural life. However, elements of western culture were assimilated under British colonial rule with the education system being modelled along similar lines and colonial architecture still in evidence in major cities.

Friendly people in the village

Myanmar has around 55 million residents. 500,000 monks.

HISTORY.  Myanmar was colonised by the British in 1824 and remained under their rule until the Second World War, when Japan invaded and it became a major battleground. Burma achieved independence in 1948.

City folks may keep pedigree dogs.

Village folks

Pit stop.  A road side vendor sometimes provide food for travellers. Boys are playing games

Some stray dogs can be emaciated.

Kachin girl 

In some rural areas, the river is the source of water for washing laundry and bathing

Thanaka vendor is grinding the thanaka stem on stone slab

Mum's helper

2017 vendor

2017 nun and people

2017 vendor

Thanaka applied to protect the face against sunlight and for good skin health

Pagodas are very common. Most Myanmar people go to the pagodas rather than go sight-seeing. This popular Buddhist pagoda is also a resort for the locals. 

RELIGIOUS WORK.

2017 travel. I saw in one area, many villagers hold silver bowls and stand at the road side to collect donations from motorists, during the festivals and to build pagodas. They don't wear face masks and brave the heat and inhale the fine dust. 

Simple roadside stall

Very narrow road for two-way traffic

Buses are popular transportation for the general public as distances between towns can be far.

Road works. Curting rocks. Heating asphalt. A high percentage of workers are young women had been seen by me. Where are the young men?

road toll collection can a simple stall

Ox carts of every size can be seen in the rural areas.

Cattle wander along roads in rural areas 

Not much grass in October 2017

Certain villages are famous for their pottery 

Certain river, lake areas and forested hills are designated wildlife sanctuaries

Young lady in Myanmar

Donation to the poor and homeless at the pagoda  

Dr Thein Tun Aung (R) and family and friend 

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Founded White Hearts Animal Rescue & Shelter, Magwe, Myanmar

(Having a purpose and life direction has 2.4 times less dementia
than those without). Stress in your job actually shrinks your brain.