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Location: Southeast Asia.
Population: 57,333,000 people
Capital City: Nay Pyi Taw
Neighboring Countries: China, Laos, Thailand, Bangladesh, India
Reason Chosen: Burma is a vibrant country of over 135 ethnic groups. In my research journey, I aspire to discover more about these beautiful cultures.

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As the national dish of Burma, I knew I wanted to include Mohinga. Asian soups are some of my favorites, and Mohinga is a unique, delicious soup that incorporates rice and noddles as the base (a dynamic combination). A variety of ingredients are added including banana tree, split-pea fritters, soft boiled duck eggs, fish cakes, and coriander leaves.

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Natural Wonder: Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady) River

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Natural Wonder: Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady) River

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Located in the Ayeyarwady region, the Irrawaddy River serves as the biggest river in all of Burma. It’s nicknamed “The Road to Mandalay” and utilized as a primary passage to transport food. It is also home to the most elusive Irrawaddy dolphin, which is unfortunately and currently endangered. Because I have a petulant for dolphins, I wanted to share this in hopes of bringing awareness to this valuable endangered species.

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The Shwedagon Pagoda was made in Myanmar over 2,600 years ago. It was created as a Buddhist stupa, and is the oldest stupa of the Buddhist faith to this day. It was built in AD between the 6th and 10th centuries. The stupa had remained strong and sturdy until the 1768 earthquake, but still reminds proudly upheld today with the addition of may shrines. Buddhism is a beautiful faith of East Asian people and my own ancestors, making it important for many like me to study.

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Myanmar’s Independence Day is celebrated on January 4th every year. There is a parade and community events, but interestingly no fireworks. General Aung San (father of Aung San Suu Kyi) is to give credit for Burma’s independence from Britain, and proves to be a person I want to study as I have studied Aung San Suu Kyi and love her.

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Nan Myint Tower was a royal Myanmar palace, measuring 1.0 x 1.4 kilometers. Protected by the ever so famous Irrawaddy river,  the location of the palace strategic to protect the royal King Bagyidaw. Unfortunately though, the tower faced destruction not by invaders, but by an earthquake. The tower was rebuilt later on, with a pyathat style roof. even so, it remains always slightly leaning towards the east. As this tower held King Bagyidaw, I thought it was important to add and learn about, consisting of Burma’s royal line, which interests me greatly.

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Burmese classical song and music, since over 50 years ago

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Burmese music is spontaneous and melodies can seem unrelated at times because of a different scale. An example of a difference is that the Burmese scale doesn’t account for accidentals (concerning octaves - no “f sharp” or “c flat”), creating patterns that are only melodic. Famous Myanmar music includes the “Burmese Folk and Traditional Music” record.  I am especially interested in studying and listening to this music as I used to play piano and wanted to see how music could be created without any sharps or flats.

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Burmese classical song and music, since over 50 years ago

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Yoke Thé- Traditional Burmese Marionette Puppetry - Bagan Myanmar 2023

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Burmese handmade intricate puppets from scratch. To fully finish a puppet, clothes, and faces are all made by hand. Since the craft is difficult, skilled experts are unfortunately in decline. However, Marionettes and other cultural crafts highly make up the country’s cultural identity and heritage. Making puppets is difficult, and I admire and an interested in how the Myanmar people make theirs.

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Yoke Thé- Traditional Burmese Marionette Puppetry - Bagan Myanmar 2023

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Literary Giant: “From the Land of Green Ghosts” by Pascal Khoo Thwe

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Literary Giant: “From the Land of Green Ghosts” by Pascal Khoo Thwe

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Pascal Khoo Thwe is a part of the Padaung tribal minority, suffering under the junta. His book, “From the Land of Green Ghosts”, tells readers about his harrowing escape from rural Burma to the UK. It also goes into depth about the vibrancy of the Padaung community, noting it is the only Catholic town in Burma. He goes on to show the secluded life of Myanmar, revealing the combinations of Catholic/animistic religions practiced and the pastoral ways of the people. It is really pivotal to share about minorities and their experiences with Myanmar’s brutal junta, and I take interest in this to learn more about all ethnic groups of Burma.

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Burma, which is now officially known as Myanmar, has suffered a turbulent 20th century but is now attaining previously inconceivable levels of stability and prosperity. This is bringing travellers to the country in droves to experience its natural wonders and its rich culture and history. To understand Burma's 20th century and its current state, these ten books are indispensable guides, all of which reflect the personal stories behind the turmoil which has haunted the country.

The River of Lost Footsteps, Thant Myint-U

Thant Myint-U, who was born in New York City to Burmese parents, has spent his career dissecting the history, culture and politics of the country of his forebears, and this book is the culmination of that lifelong undertaking. The River of Lost Footsteps: A Personal History of Burma attempts to explain the complexities of Burma's social and political world, which can often seem esoteric to outsiders, and to place it within the wider context of South East Asian history. It is also a deeply personal search for roots, and for an understanding of the shifting nature of identity and home for a child of immigrants. Thant's family was amongst the group of nationalists who took control of Burma following the end of British colonialism, and his grandfather went on to serve as secretary general of the UN. This patrician lineage, combined with Thant's rigorously analytic mindset and personal recollections results in a fascinating work which explains the opaque world of Burmese politics and history from the viewpoint of an insider, whilst also looking nostalgically at a lost homeland from an outsider's perspective.

Burmese Days, George Orwell

George Orwell's time in Burma was essential for the development of his political consciousness, as he went from being a rebellious but naïve young man to a disaffected member of the British Imperial class. The novel which sprung out of his time in the country, Burmese Days, is a loosely fictionalised account of his time there, and reveals the dark side of the British Raj in a way that few have before or since. It undermines the sanctified narrative of the 'colonising mission' and depicts a racially motivated campaign of conquest and exploitation, all managed by a corrupt and incompetent imperial bureaucracy. Whilst the novel does not match up to the classic works Orwell would go on to produce, it nevertheless marks an important developmental stage in Orwell's political life, and offers a vital insight into what Burma was like under British rule.

From the Land of Green Ghosts, Pascal Khoo Thwe

Born into the Padaung tribal minority in remote Burma, Pascal Khoo Thwe suffered under the fierce persecution of his country's military dictatorship, before escaping to start a new life in the UK. This is the story of his incredible journey from the jungles of Burma, where he was a freedom fighter battling the ruling regime, to Cambridge University, where he studied literature in the early 1990s. From the Land of Green Ghosts is both an incredible survival story and a depiction of a little known culture and society. Pascal's Padaung people live in relative seclusion in 'the only Catholic town in Burma', practicing a combination of Catholic and animistic religions and rarely hearing of the outside world, or becoming aware of encroaching modernity. The story of this tribe's unique way of life, combined with the tale of Burma's sudden descent into violence and Pascal's escape into the outside world, make this work a riveting introduction to the story of Burma's 20th century.

The Trouser People, Andrew Marshall

The narrative of the British in Burma, and the effect of colonisation on this country, is one that still demands further exploration and is too often forgotten in accounts of Britain's exploits in Southern Asia. Andrew Marshall's The Trouser People is therefore a worthwhile addition to the canon of literature about Burma, although it takes an idiosyncratic perspective on the whole affair. It follows the little known story of British explorer George Scott, who introduced the game of soccer to the Burmese, and who toured the country extensively before becoming Colonial Administrator of Burma. Scott was a true eccentric, who took everything he observed in his stride and who was noticeable for his unbridled enthusiasm for his own explorations. Marshall follows in his footsteps a century later, and discovers a Burma far removed from that of Scott, bristling under political repression and corruption. Combining travel writing with reportage and history, this is an insightful and humorous introduction to the British in Burma, and an unforgiving account of the lingering consequences of their rule.

Letters From Burma, Aung San Suu Kyi

Aung San Suu Kyi is the embodiment of the decade long struggle for political rights and an end to authoritarian rule in Burma, and her recent release was a hugely important event on the road to freedom and accountability in the country. Her 15 year house arrest curtailed her political protest but she was nevertheless a constant thorn in the side of the military junta, not least as a symbol of the dissatisfaction and frustration that most ordinary Burmese felt. Letters From Burma collects her letters from her period of house arrest which reveal her tireless work to spread the cause of Burmese democracy as well as offering an insight into her selfless mentality, and her thoughts and reflections on her countrymen and women, for whom she strived for so long.

Perfect Hostage, Justin Wintle

Whilst Letters from Burma is a fascinating introduction to the mind of Aung San Suu Kyi, Justin Wintle's Perfect Hostage: A Life of Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma's Prisoner of Conscience offers a more nuanced and contextualised perspective on the life and times of Burma's most famous dissident. Wintle relates Aung San Suu Kyi's upbringing and the influence of her father, U Aung San, the independence hero of Burma, who was assassinated when she was only two. He also delves into her life in England, where she studied at Oxford University and was married to the scholar Michael Aris. This revealing portrayal of her personal life makes apparent the sacrifices Aung San Suu Kyi undertook in her struggle for Burmese democracy, thus reinforcing the saintly radiance which still surrounds this most potent activist.

The Glass Palace, Amitav Ghosh

Amitav Ghosh's The Glass Palace is an epic tale of colonial intrigue, adventure and betrayal which follows the downfall of the Konbaung Dynasty in Mandalay, the British rule over the country and the sudden encroachment of the Second World War into the jungles of this previously remote country. Ghosh's century spanning narrative is based on the historical record and fleshes out the previously little known story of the fall of the Burmese royal family. It also moves beyond Burma to its near neighbours India, Bengal and Malaysia, revealing how intertwined the fortunes of these countries were for much of the 20th century. Ghosh's dense prose and epic style give sustenance to the historical narrative of this novel and allow it to escape the turgidity to which this deeply complex story could be prone. It is instead a page turner in the classic sense, and offers readers a captivating portrayal of courtly intrigue and aristocratic downfall in Burma.

Finding George Orwell in Burma, Emma Larkin

George Orwell's time in Burma, where he served in the British Imperial Police, formed his early perspective on politics and society which he would take to new heights with classic works such as Animal Farm and 1984. However, as Emma Larkin discovers in Finding George Orwell in Burma, Orwell's fame in Burma ran far deeper than that early biographical connection suggested. To many he was considered a prophetic figure who presaged Burma's tumultuous 20th century, and whose works take pride of place on the bookshelf of any Burmese intellectual, not for their resonances with 20th century politics of Europe, but for their depiction of the political system which dominated Burma for much of the same period. Emma Larkin explores this connection and uses Orwell as a guide as she travels across Burma, visiting the places he lived in and finding the lingering influence of the colonial bureaucracy of which he was a part. Her travels allow her to see both Burma and Orwell anew and to understand the political development of one of the 20th century's most vital literary figures.

Burma Chronicles, Guy Delisle

A unique take on Burma, Guy Delisle's Burma Chronicles is a graphic novel depicting the year Delisle spent in the country with his wife and young son, and their surreal experience of dealing with the autocratic military junta which ruled the country. Written in Delisle's typically unadorned and minimalistic style, Burma Chronicles is a simple but hugely enlightening book which reveals the graphic novel's capacity for reportage. It depicts the seemingly small but telling cases of authoritarian repression which affect Delisle and his family, and which reveal the wider truth about life under the generals. Delisle doesn't come with any preconceptions, and although he has made something of a name for himself by writing graphic novels about authoritarian regimes - see and respectively, this book is determined to record the Burmese experience, and to relate it in the simplest form possible.

The Road to Wanting, Wendy Law-Yone

Possibly Burma's most celebrated writer, Wendy Law-Yone has made a career out of reinterpreting the Burmese experience in her works. The Road to Wanting is her most celebrated novel, and depicts the story of Na Ga, a young girl from Burma's North Eastern border region, who is searching for a better life. Beset by poverty and the malaise of rural life, Na Ga is swept up by various apparent rescuers, who only lead her to dissolution and further despair. This novel is an insightful depiction of life on the fringes of Burmese society, whilst also being a deeply personal exploration of anomie and depression, which transcends all national borders.

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To understand Burmas 20th century and its current state these ten books are indispensable guides.

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Traditional Dress: Myanmar National Costume

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Traditional Dress: Myanmar National Costume

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Starting in the 18th century, Burmese in the Konbaung court wore the National Costume. The traditional costume for men is called “Longyi” and looks like a dress, ending at 2 meters above the ground. Typically, it is tied around the waist and has no pockets. The traditional costume for women is similar to what’s worn in Laos or Thailand, with the blouse at waist-level. There are various necks one could wear with it, and a 5 inch stripe of cotton attached to the top called “Ahtet Hsin” to keep the skirt with it tight. Fashion has always been an interest of mine, and I think it’s great to expand one’s knowledge of fashion to worldwide fashions.

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The popa langur are a newly endangered, but critically endangered species of Bruma. The most stable group of popa langur are in Mount Popa National Park, but because of the limited habit, this population cannot grow. Fortunately though, by educating locals, researchers have made strides. Now, when popa langur are seen, locals notify those who can help. Slowly, but surely, Myanmar aims to help these species become non-endangered and does so through education.

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The Lady (2011) Trailer - HD Movie - Luc Besson Movie

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“The Lady” is a documentary about peace activist Aung San Suu Kyi. Based off her life, parts of the films are snuck from Burma (by European foreigners) to show her struggle in maintaining freedom for Bruma. The film demonstrates that Suu goes far beyond standards to achieve this for Bruma, stating under house assert to stay in Burma under all conditions. This film demonstrates her willingness to put her country before herself, her husband, and even her children. “The Lady” revelas the cost of freedom and the power of Suu’s actions. This movie is one of my favorite historical movies, pivots to share to amplify Suu’s voice.

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The Lady (2011) Trailer - HD Movie - Luc Besson Movie