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BURMESE Facts & Figures

Size: 261,227 square miles

Population: 58,840,000

Currency: Kyat

Weather / Climate:

Much of the country lies between the Tropic of Cancer and the Equator. It lies in the monsoon region of Asia, with its coastal regions receiving over 5,000 mm (196.9 in) of rain annually. Annual rainfall in the delta region is approximately 2,500 mm (98.4 in), while average annual rainfall in the Dry Zone, which is located in central Burma, is less than 1,000 mm (39.4 in). Northern regions of the country are the coolest, with average temperatures of 21 °C (70 °F). Coastal and delta regions have an average maximum temperature of 32 °C (89.6 °F).

www.wikipedia.com

BURMESE languages

Burmese, the mother tongue of the Bamar and official language of Burma, is related to Tibetan and to the Chinese languages.^[159] It is written in a script consisting of circular and semi-circular letters, which were adapted from the Mon script, which in turn was developed from a southern Indian script in the 8th century. The earliest known inscriptions in the Burmese script date from the 11th century. It is also used to write Pali, the sacred language of Theravada Buddhism, as well as several ethnic minority languages, including Shan, several Karen dialects, and Kayah (Karenni), with the addition of specialised characters and diacritics for each language.^[175] The Burmese language incorporates widespread usage of honorifics and is age-oriented.^[171] Burmese society has traditionally stressed the importance of education. In villages, secular schooling often takes place in monasteries. Secondary and tertiary education take place at government schools.

Taken From:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burma#Language

BURMESE culture

Burma, also known as Myanmar, is ruled by a military junta which suppresses almost all dissent and wields absolute power in the face of international condemnation and sanctions.The generals and the army stand accused of gross human rights abuses, including the forcible relocation of civilians and the widespread use of forced labour, which includes children.

In 1824, the British, driven by imperial ambitions and goaded by repeated border clashes, annexed Burma as part of British India. In 1937 it was granted separate dominion status. During World War II, the Japanese expelled the British from Burma and attempted to co-opt Burmese political support by offering nominal independence under Japanese control. The opposition to the Japanese, who were defeated in 1944, was the nucleus of the post-war independence movement led by Aung San, who guided the country to independence in 1948 but was assassinated the same year.

A military coup in 1962 brought to power Ne Win, who renamed the country Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma and imposed an idiosyncratic totalitarian dictatorship. In 1988, after years of bizarre policies, isolationism and chronic economic mismanagement by the then Burma Socialist Programme Party, finally brought a popular uprising, with students and Buddhist monks, to the fore.

The uprising was forcibly crushed in 1988 and mass demonstrations were not seen again until 2007, when a small string of protests about living standards gained momentum among a public normally too cowed to voice any dissent. Prominent pro-democracy leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Aung San Suu Kyi, has had various restrictions placed on her activities since the late 1980s. Her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), won a landslide victory in 1990 in Burma's first multi-party elections for 30 years, but has never been allowed to govern. The next elections, held in 2010, were boycotted by the NLD on the grounds that they were bound to be a sham.

Under the constitution brought in by the junta in 2008, a quarter of seats in both parliamentary chambers are reserved for the military, and three key ministerial posts - interior, defence and border affairs - must be held by serving generals. Military-run enterprises control key industries, and corruption and severe mismanagement are the hallmarks of a black-market-driven economy. The armed forces have been accused of large-scale trafficking in heroin, of which Burma is a major exporter.

A largely rural, densely forested country, Burma is the world's largest exporter of teak and a principal source of jade, pearls, rubies and sapphires. It is endowed with extremely fertile soil and has important offshore oil and gas deposits. However, its people remain very poor and are getting poorer.

Burmawas 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 Thais from northern Thailand. The largest group is the Burman people, who are ethnically related to the Tibetans and the Chinese. Burman dominance over Karen, Shan, Rakhine, Mon, Chin, Kachin and other minorities has been the source of considerable ethnic tension and has fuelled intermittent separatist rebellions.

89% of the population is Theravada Buddhist. The remainder are Hindu, Muslim, Christian and animist. The country is festooned with the symbols of Buddhism. Thousands of pagodas throng its ancient towns; these have been a focus for an increasingly important tourism industry. But while tourism has been a magnet for foreign investment, its benefits have hardly touched the people.

Handshaking is the normal form of greeting. Full names are used, preceded by U in the case of an older or well-respected man's name, Aung for younger men and Ko for adult males; a woman's name is preceded by Daw. Courtesy and respect for tradition and religion is expected; for instance, shoes and socks must be removed before entering any religious building and it is customary to remove shoes before entering a traditional home (in most modern residences this is no longer observed except in bedrooms). When sitting, avoid displaying the soles of the feet, as this is considered offensive. Small presents are acceptable and appreciated, although never expected. Shorts and mini-skirts should not be worn. Penalties for drug-trafficking range from five-year imprisonment to death sentence. Homosexuality is illegal.

With dense forests, abundant wildlife, friendly people, rich culture and underdeveloped coastal resorts, Myanmar (previously known as Burma) is certainly a beautiful corner of Asia. Sadly, the unstable political situation substantially detracts from Myanmar's credentials as an alluring tourist destination. Would-be tourists face a difficult choice in whether to come. It is argued that tourism directly funds the military regime. Aung San Suu Kyi is one of many who have asked tourists to resist travelling to Myanmar for this reason.

Holidays

Buddhist holidays are determined according to lunar sightings, and dates given are approximations.

· 04 January – Independence Day

· 12 February – Union Day

· 02 March – Peasants’ Day

· March – Full Moon of Tabaung

· 27 March – Armed Forces Day

· 13 April – Maha Thingyan, Water Festival

· 17 April – Myanmar New Year

· 01 May – May Day

· May – Full Moon of Kason

· July – Full Moon of Waso, Beginning of Buddhist Lent

· 19 July – Martyr’s Day

· October – Full Moon of Thadingyut, End of Buddhist Lent

· November – Full Moon of Tasaungmon

· November/December – National Day

· 25 December – Christmas Day

Taken from:

www.bbc.co.uk

www.worldtravelguide.net

BURMESE people

Burmahas a population of about 56 million.^[152] Population figures are rough estimates because the last partial census, conducted by the Ministry of Home and Religious Affairs under the control of the military junta, was taken in 1983.^[153] No trustworthy nationwide census has been taken in Burma since 1931. There are over 600,000 registered migrant workers from Burma in Thailand, and millions more work illegally. Burmese migrant workers account for 80% of Thailand's migrant workers.^[154] Burma has a population density of 75 per square kilometre (190 /sq mi), one of the lowest in Southeast Asia. Refugee camps exist along Indian, Bangladeshi and Thai borders while several thousand are in Malaysia. Conservative estimates state that there are over 295,800 refugees from Burma, with the majority being Rohingya, Kayin, and Karenni and are principally located along the Thai-Burma border.^[155] There are nine permanent refugee camps along the Thai-Burma border, most of which were established in the mid-1980s. The refugee camps are under the care of the Thai-Burma Border Consortium (TBBC). In FY 2009, the U.S. resettled 18,275 refugees from Burma.^[156]

There are over 53.42 million Buddhists, over 2.98 million Christians, over 2.27 million Muslims, over 0.3 million Hindus and over 0.79 million of those who believe in other religions in the country, according to an answer by Union Minister at Myanmar Parliament on 8 Sep 2011.^[

Taken From:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burma#Demographics

BURMESE food

Burmese cuisine includes a rich collection of dishes and meals found in various regions of the country, which is also known as Myanmar. Owing to the geographic location of Myanmar, Burmese cuisine has been influenced greatly by China, India and Thailand. However, Burmese cuisine has retained unique preparation techniques and distinct flavours, and there are many regional variations of "standard" dishes.

The diversity of Myanmar's cuisine has been contributed by the Burmese alongside the myriad of local ethnic minorities, neighbouring countries and immigrants from India and China. It is characterized by extensive use of fish products like fish sauce and ngapi. Seafood is a common ingredient in coastal cities such as Sittwe, Kyaukpyu, Mawlamyaing (formerly Moulmein), Mergui (Myeik) and Dawei, while meat and poultry are more commonly used in landlocked cities like Mandalay. Freshwater fish and shrimp have been incorporated into inland cooking as a primary source of protein and are used in a variety of ways, fresh, salted whole or filleted, salted and dried, made into a salty paste, or fermented sour and pressed.

Burmese cuisine also includes a variety of salads (a thoke), centered on one major ingredient, ranging from rice, wheat and rice noodles, glass noodles and vermicelli, to potato, ginger, tomato, kaffir lime, lahpet (pickled tea), and ngapi (fish paste). These salads have always been popular as fast foods in Burmese cities.

A popular Burmese rhyme sums up the traditional favourites: "A thee ma, thayet; a thar ma, wet; a ywet ma, lahpet” translated as "Of all the fruit, the mango's the best; of all the meat, the pork's the best; and of all the leaves, lahpet's the best".

Eating customs

A typical Burmese meal

Traditionally, Burmese eat their meals from dishes on a low table, while sitting on a bamboo mat. Dishes are served more or less at the same time. A typical meal includes steamed rice as the main dish and accompanying dishes called hin, including a curried freshwater fish or dried/salted fish dish, a curried meat or poultry dish instead, a light soup called hin gyo , called chinyay hin if sour, and fresh or boiled vegetables to go with a salty dish, almost invariably a curried sauce of pickled fish (ngapi yayjo) in Lower Burma. Fritters such as gourd or onions in batter as well as fish or dried tofu crackers are extra.

Out of respect, the eldest diners are always served first before the rest join in; even when the elders are absent, the first morsel of rice from the pot is scooped and put aside as an act of respect to one's parents, a custom known as u cha (first serve).

The Burmese eat with their right hand, forming the rice into a small ball with only the fingertips and mixing this with various morsels before popping it into their mouths. Chopsticks and a Chinese style spoon are used for noodle dishes, although noodle salads are more likely to be eaten with just a spoon. Knives and forks are used rarely in homes but will always be provided for guests and are available in restaurants and hotels. Drinks are not often served with the meal and, instead, the usual liquid accompaniment is in the form of a light broth or consomme served from a communal bowl. Outside of the meal, the Burmese beverage of choice is light green tea, yay nway gyan

Influences

A traditional Burmese meal includes a bowl of soup, rice, several meat curries, ngapi yay with tozaya (vegetables for dipping).

The country's diverse religious makeup influences its cuisine, as Buddhists avoid beef and Muslims pork. Beef is considered taboo by devout Buddhists because the cow is highly regarded as a beast of burden, although it is increasingly eaten by Buddhists.^[1] Pork is avoided by nat worshippers, as nats are believed to be averse to pork.^[2] Vegetarian dishes are also common, especially during the Buddhist Lent (Wa-dwin), a three-month Rains Retreat, as well as Uposatha sabbath days. During this time, only two meals (i.e. breakfast and lunch) are consumed before midday to observe the fasting rules (u bohk saunk) and abstainance from meat (thek that lut, literally 'free of killing') is observed by devout Buddhists.

The countries that border Myanmar, especially India, China and Thailand, have influenced Burmese cuisine.^[3] Indian influences are found in Burmese versions of dishes such as samosas and biryani, and Indian curries, spices and breads such as naan and paratha. Chitti kala or Chettiar (Southern Indian) cuisine is also popular in cities. Chinese influence in Burmese cuisine is shown in the use of ingredients like bean curd and soya sauce, various noodles as well as in stir frying techniques. As in neighbouring Thailand and Laos, fried insects are eaten as snacks.

Ingredients

Ingredients used in Burmese dishes are often fresh. Many fruits are used in conjunction with vegetables in many dishes. The Burmese eat a great variety of vegetables and fruits, and all kinds of meat. A very popular vegetable is the danyin thi, which is usually boiled or roasted and dipped in salt, oil and sometimes, cooked coconut fat.

Starches

Burmese Pathein Paw San Hmwe

The most common starch (staple food) in Myanmar is white rice or htamin (?????), which is served with accompanying meat dishes called hin (????). Paw hsan hmwe, fragrant aroma rice is the most popular rice used in Burma and is rated as high as the Thai fragrant rice or Basmati rice. Today, Myanmar is the world's number six producer of rice, though in recent times less is exported and even domestic supplies cannot be guaranteed.^[4]

Glutinous rice, called kauk hnyin (from Shan kao niew ) is also very popular. A purple variety known as nga cheik is commonly a breakfast dish. Various noodle types are also used in salads and soups. Typically, vermicelli noodles and rice noodles are often used in soups, while thick rice and wheat noodles are used in salads. Palata a flaky fried flatbread related to Indian paratha, is often eaten with curried meats while nan byar , a baked flatbread is eaten with any Indian dishes. Another favourite is aloo poori , puffed-up fried breads eaten with potato curry.

Ngapi

Ngapi is considered the cornerstone of any Burmese meal. It is used in a versatile manner in that it is used in soup base, in salads, in main dishes and also in condiments. Popular varieties depend on the region.

The ngapi of Rakhine State contains no or little salt, and uses marine fish. It is used as a soup base for the Rakhine 'national' cuisine, montdi . It is also used widely in cooking vegetables, fish and even meat.

In the coastal Ayeyarwady and Tanintharyi divisions, the majority of ngapi is instead based on freshwater fish, with a lot of salt. Ngapi is also used as a condiment such as ngapi yay , an essential part of Karen cuisine, which includes runny ngapi, spices and boiled fresh vegetables. In Shan State, ngapi is made instead from fermented beans, and is used as both a flavoring and also condiment in Shan cuisine.

Condiments

Burmese cuisine is full of condiments, from sweet, sour to savory. The most popular are pickled mango, balachaung (shrimp and ngapi floss) and ngapi gyaw (fried ngapi) and preserved vegetables in rice wine (from Shan State). Ngapi plays a major part in condiments, as a dip for fresh vegetables.

Fermented beans, called pè ngapi, from the Shan State plays a major role in Shan cuisine. Dried bean ngapi chips are used as condiments for various Shan dishes.

Another bean based condiment popular amongst the Bamar and the central dry region is Pone Yay Gyi - a thick salty black paste made from fermented soy beans. It is used in cooking, especially pork, and as a salad, with ground nut oil, chopped onions and red chili. Bagan is an important producer of Pone Yay Gyi.

Fruits

Myanmarhas a wide range of fruits, and most are of tropical origin. However, some notable Western fruits such as strawberries are also popular. Durian, guava and others are commonly served as desserts. Other fruits include mango, banana, jackfruit, plum, lychee, papaya, pomelo, water melon, pomegranate, mangosteen, sugar-apple and rambutan.

Notable dishes

Gyin thohk, ginger salad with sesame seeds
Khauk swè thohk, wheat noodle salad with dried shrimps, shredded cabbage and carrots, dressed with fried peanut oil, fish sauce and lime
Kat kyi hnyat, a southern coastal dish (from the Dawei area) of rice noodles with a variety of seafood, land meats, raw bean sprouts, beans and fried eggs comparable to pad thai
Kyay oh, vermicelli noodles in soup with pork offal and greens
Let thohk sohn, similar to htamin thohk with shredded green papaya, shredded carrot, ogonori sea moss and often wheat noodles
Mohinga, the unofficial national dish of rice vermicelli in fish broth with onions, garlic, ginger, lemon grass and sliced tender core of banana-stem, served with boiled eggs, fried fish cake (nga hpe) and fritters (akyaw)

Mont let saung, tapioca balls, glutinous rice, grated coconut and toasted sesame with jaggery syrup in coconut milk
Nan gyi thohk or Montdi, thick rice noodle salad with chickpea flour, chicken, fish cake (nga hpe), onions, coriander, spring onions, crushed dried chilli, dressed with fried crispy onion oil, fish sauce and lime
Ohn-no khao swè, curried chicken and wheat noodles in a coconut milk broth similar to Malaysian laksa and Chiang Mai's khao soi
Sanwin makin, semolina cake with raisins, walnuts and poppy seeds
Shwe gyi mohnt, hardened semolina (wheat) porridge with poppy seeds
Shwe yin aye, agar jelly, tapioca and sago in coconut milk

Taken from wikipedia

Places to go in BURMA

Souvenirs include handicrafts and jewellery. In Yangon, a good place to shop is Bogyoke Aung San Market, which sells luxury items, handicrafts, food stuffs, clothing, jewellery and consumer goods. It is open from 0800-1800 (except Sunday and public holidays) but the best time to visit is around 1000. Mandalay is a good place for traditional handicrafts which can be purchased at Zegyo Market. Phatahe Bazaar sells Buddhist articles of worship.

Western-style nightlife is almost non-existent, although there are occasional performances in Yangon's theatres as well as a number of rock and pop groups gaining in popularity. Cinemas are popular and some regularly show English-language films. Attend performances of Myanmar's traditional popular theatre. Performances take place during religious festivals, weddings, sporting events or even funerals, and sometimes last for an entire night. See traditional dance forms (nat pwes), which pay homage to the spirit world, and catch some marionette theatre (yok-thei pwe), widely practised during the late 18th century in Mandalay.

Catch one of Myanmar's frequent Buddhist festivals, many timed to coincide with the full moon. Highlights include: Amanda Pagoda Festival in January/February; Pindaya Cave Festival in March; Maha Thingyan (New Year) in March; and Thihoshin Pagoda Festival, Pakkoku, in June/July. Find balance and inner peace by participating in a Buddhist retreat. There are several centres for the serious study and practice of Theravada Buddhism, with the most famous of which the Mahasi Meditation Centre in Yangon. Long-stay entry visas may be needed for a retreat.

Yangon (Rangoon) is a city of temples, markets, food stalls and ill-repaired colonial architecture. Highlights include the golden Shwedagon Pagoda, one of the most spectacular Buddhist shrines in Asia; the ancient Sule Pagoda; the Botataung Pagoda, hollow inside with a mirrored maze; and the Maha Pasan Guha, or 'Great Cave'.

Roam the old royal city of Mandalay, which is rich in palaces, stupas, temples and pagodas. Sights include the huge Shweyattaw Buddha, with its outstretched finger; the Eindawya Pagoda, covered in gold leaf; the Shwekyimyint Pagoda; the Mahumuni Pagoda or 'Great Pagoda', housing a famous and revered Mahumuni image. Also, visit the ruins of the once-stupendous Mandalay Palace, destroyed in 1942.

Venture outside Mandalay to several abandoned capital cities. Sagaing contains interesting pagodas, and Ava's old city walls can be traced. Take a river trip to Mingun to see the famous Mingun Bell, supposedly the world's largest uncracked hung bell. The city of Amarapura is also famous for its cotton and silk weaving.

Outside the capital, visit the Naga-Yone enclosure near Myinkaba, with a Buddha figure entwined and protected by a huge cobra - a combination of Buddhism and Brahman astrology.

Visit Pegu with its golden Shwemawdaw Pagoda and market. Just northeast is the Shwethalyaung Buddha, revered as one of the most beautiful and lifelike of reclining Buddhas, which was lost and totally overgrown by jungle in 1757, then rediscovered in the British era.

Marvel at Kyaiktiyo and its incredible Golden Rock Pagoda: a 5.5m (18ft) shrine built on a gold-plated boulder balancing atop a cliff.

Get off the beaten track in the country's east and northwest. Kalaw provides a cool, pine-forested escape; the caves and lake at Pindaya contain thousands of Buddha images; near Yengan village find the Padah-Lin Caves, containing prehistoric paintings. Meanwhile, Inlay Lake is famous for its floating gardens and leg-rowing fishermen. Further north, Maymyo is a charming British hill station.

Myanmar's has rich opportunities for ecotourism, trekking and safaris to experience in its national parks. The best parks include the Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park (northwest of Monywa); Hlawga National Park (near Yangon); Popa Mountain Park (central Myanmar); Lampi Island (Myeik Archipelago); and Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary (located in Minbu).

Myanmar's lovely beaches are home to a variety of watersports. Popular spots include: Kanthaya Beach (Rakhine coast); Maung-ma-gan Beach (Taninthayi coast in the south); Ngapali Beach (Rakhine coast); and Chaung-tha Beach (west of Pathein).

The national game, chinglone, is played in teams of six, and the object of the game is to keep a cane ball in the air for as long as possible, using any part of the body except the hands. Burmese boxing is another popular sport.

Taken from www.worldtravelguide.net

Doing business in BURMA

Burma, officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar enjoys a predominantly monsoon, equatorial climate on the coast and a humid temperate climate in the extreme north. In formal occasions, lightweight tropical business suits for men and women conducting businesses in the country are appropriate.

For less formal occasions, smart trousers and a shirt and tie for men, or a skirt and blouse for women are sufficient.

Most Burmese men wear a traditional sarong referred to as a "longyi" with a western-style shirt. Women wear a similar outfit comprising a sarong with matching top. Most Burmese business people, however, will wear a western-style suit or shirt and tie when dealing with foreigners.

During informal meetings you can wear a smart shirt or blouse with a collar as an alternative to a jacket and tie.

The use of business cards is widespread in Myanmar and it is not uncommon for the owner of even the smallest tea-house or restaurant to present foreigners with his/her card.

Always distribute and receive cards with both hands as a sign of respect and always take a few seconds to read cards presented to you. Do not place a card immediately into your pocket or wallet. This is particularly important when dealing with Myanmar's sizeable Chinese community, many of whom dominate the country's commercial environment, particularly in the north, around the regional centre of Mandalay.

Burmese names are unique in that they cannot be classified as given names or surnames. Burmese people are given one name, often two or three syllables long, which denotes neither marital status nor family connections. Hence, it is quite common, for Burmese siblings to have entirely different names. Similarly, women do not take their husband's name when they marry.

When introduced to Burmese people, always refer to them by their full name, regardless of whether it is two or three syllables long. Do not shorten a Burmese name as this is considered inappropriate.

Burmese is a very polite language which contains around half a dozen honorific titles. The most commonly-used honorifics are U (as in U Nu) which means "Uncle" and is the approximate English equivalent of "Mr", and Daw (as in Daw Suu Kyi) which means "Aunt" and is the English equivalent of "Mrs", "Ms", or "Madam."

Government offices in Myanmar are generally open from 8am to 11am and then from around 2pm to 5pm.

Private businesses and shops usually keep longer hours.

The national currency is Kyat. Burma has a dual exchange rate system similar to Cuba.The market rate was around two hundred times below the government-set rate in 2006.Inflation averaged 30.1% between 2005 and 2007. Inflation is a serious problem for the economy. In recent years, both China and India have attempted to strengthen ties with the government for economic benefit. Many nations, including the United States and Canada, and the European Union, have imposed investment and trade sanctions on Burma. The United States has banned all imports from Burma. Foreign investment comes primarily from People's Republic of China, Singapore, South Korea, India, and Thailand.

Taken from:

www.wikipedia.com

www.asiatravelinfo.com