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Welcome to the heart of Myanmar: A Brief Dive into Burmese Culture

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Pinterest. (2023). Myanmar Burmese Alphabet Poster 11x14 Burma Free Shipping. Etsy. https://in.pinterest.com/pin/607423068524583652/

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In Myanmar, Burmese is the official language and is part of the Sino-Tibertan language family. Around 75% of the population speaks Burmese, but the country also features a variety of languages spoken by ethnic minorities. These include Sino-Tibetan languages such as Shan (11%), Arkanese (6%), Karen (5%) and Jingpho (2.5%). Additionally, Austro-Asiatric languages like Mon are spoken by 3% of the population. Indo–Iranian languages, including Bengali and Nepali, are also found in Myanmar. English is widely understood across the nation, especially in urban areas and among those involved in tourism and international business. This diverse linguistic landscape reflects Myanmar’s rich cultural and ethnic diversity. (Myanmar culture, n.d.)

Myanmar culture: Language, religion, food. (n.d.). Tailor-made holidays, Luxury Tour Operator - Original Travel. https://www.originaltravel.co.uk/travel-guide/myanmar/culture

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Myanmar Burmese Alphabet Poster 11x14 Burma FREE SHIPPING - Etsy

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(The traditional Zither of Burmese)                                                       Saung-gauk, Burmese, The Metropolitan Museum of Art. (n.d.). The Metropolitan Museum of Art. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/500916 

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The Rhythm of History: Traditional Music 

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The Rhythm of History: Traditional Music 

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Traditional Burmese music, a vital aspect of the country’s culture, features distinctive melodies and rhythms. Key instruments include the saung-gauk (zither), hne (flute), and patwa (drum). This music plays a role in religious ceremonies, weddings, funerals and festivals, and is gaining international attention via the internet. Key genres include:

Pwe: Folk music an upbeat tempo for festivals.

Nat: Solemn religious music for Buddhist temples.

Hsaing waing: Grand orchestral music for formal events.

Saung: solo singing with melodies, sentimental lyrics.

Pop: Modern, fast-oaced music influenced by Western styles.

(Burmese music: Insight Myanmar,2022)

Burmese music: Insight Myanmar. (2022, July 16). Insight Myanmar. https://insightmyanmar.org/all-about-burma/2022/7/16/burmese-music#:~:text=Traditional%20Burmese%20music%20is%20characterized,(a%20type%20of%20drum)

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Discovering the Rich Flavors of Burmese Traditional Food

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Discovering the Rich Flavors of Burmese Traditional Food

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Mohinga is a Burmese catfish chowder. It is the preferred breakfast across Burma and is celebrated as the country’s national dish.

Ingredients

For the broth:

·         5 tbsp gram flour

·         2 tbsp rice flour

·         2 tins of mackerel in brine (~200g)

·         1 tin of sardines in oil (~100g)

·         500ml vegetable or fish stock

·         2 large onions, quartered

·         Handful of shredded banana blossom

·         1 tbsp fish sauce

For the spice paste

·         4 cloves garlic, peeled

·         3cm knob of fresh root ginger, peeled

·         2 lemongrass stalks, trimmed of woody bits

·         1 small bunch of fresh coriander, stems only

·         6 tbsp groundnut or other neutral oil

·         1 tbsp mild chili powder

·         1 tbsp ground turmeric

·         1 tsp hot paprika

·         1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Toast gram and rice flours, then mix with water and sieve. Blend garlic, ginger, lemongrass, and coriander into a paste. Cook the paste with spices in oil, then add fish and blend. Combine with flour solution and stock, boil, then simmer for 30 minutes. Add onion, banana blossom, and water; simmer for 2 hours. Soak and drain noodles. Fry fishcakes until golden. Add fish sauce to the broth, serve with noodles, fishcakes, and coriander. Garnish with lime wedges. (Mohinga recipe: Burmese catfish chowder: Burma's national dish, n.d.)

Meemalee. (n.d.). meemalee. http://www.meemalee.com/2013/12/mohinga-recipe-burmese-catfish-chowder.html

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Adapted from Chia, J. (2017). Key issues for refugees from Myanmar (Burma). https://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/myanmar-burma/4/

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Key Health Challenges Encountered by Refugees 

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Key Health Challenges Encountered by Refugees 

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By late June 2020, around 40,630 individuals from Myanmar resided in Australia, primarily through the Refugee and Humanitarian Program.(Chia, 2017)

A frequent health issue mentioned in the Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide that refugees are likely to experience is Pre-arrival trauma, but settlement challenges like language barriers, instability, and loss of community also impact mental health, with varying outcomes based on factors like housing and education. (Mental Health: Australian Refugee Health, n.d.)

Specific treatments to address mental health problems ;

Regular support to reduce isolation, explore strengths, and advise on exercise, nutrition, sleep, and relaxation is crucial. Psycho-education and introducing counseling as a problem-solving aid can be beneficial.

Mental health: Australian refugee health. (n.d.). https://refugeehealthguide.org.au/mental-health/

Chia, J. (2017, July 18). Key issues for refugees from Myanmar (Burma). Refugee Council of Australia. https://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/myanmar-burma/4/

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(personal formulations used by some practitioners )                      Awale,S., Linn,T.Z., Than,M.M., Swe,T., Saiki,I., Kadota,S. (2006,February). The Healing Art of Traditional Medicine.:personal formulations used by some TM practitioners in Myanmar, Table 3,part I. https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jtm/23/2/23_2_47/_article/                       

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Traditional Health Practice and Beliefs in Burmese Culture

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Traditional Health Practice and Beliefs in Burmese Culture

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Mr. U Tun Oo Kyaw, a traditional medicine practitioner from Sittwe, boasts expertise in addressing fever, diarrhea, and dysentery. He gained his medical knowledge from monks and through family traditions. He reports that approximately 70% of Sittwe’s residents, the capital of Rakhine state in Myanmar, rely on traditional treatments. His distinctive antimalarial formula, Ngan-War-Kyi-Kyaw, is his personal development for treating malaria. His distinctive antimalarial formula is his personal development for treating malaria combined with ancient practices. (Awale et al., 2006)

Awale,S., Linn,T.Z., Than,M.M., Swe,T., Saiki,I., Kadota,S. (2006,February).The Healing Art of Traditional Medicine. https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jtm/23/2/23_2_47/_article/

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It is now widely recognized that a significant aspect of achieving and sustaining good mental health involves feeling integrated into society. For individuals dealing with mental health conditions, being included socially plays a crucial role in their recovery.(Mental Health Coordinating Council Inc. et al., 2007)

Mental health issues can hinder refugees’ quality of life and resettlement success. Using a social determinants framework, on studies of psychological distress among the Karen refugees in a northeastern U.S. city. Trauma and religious participation increased distress, while education and health status decreased it. These results highlight key areas for intervention. (Kim et al., 2021)

Mental Health Coordinating Council Inc., Merton, R., Bateman, J., Mental Health Coordinating Council, & Deegan, P. (2007). MHCC Social Inclusion: Its importance to mental health. In MHCC Social Inclusion: Its Importance to Mental Health. https://www.mhcc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/mhcc-social-inclusion.pdf

Kim, W., Kim, I., Lin, L., Baltimore, K., & Lin, L. (2021). Social Determinants of Mental Health Among Karen Refugees from Burma. Community Mental Health Journal. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10597-021-00880-z

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For me, the most significant aspect of competency standard 1.1 was I have developed my understanding that it is important to understand and respect each patient’s unique background and that it is crucial for providing effective care. Having analyzed cultural, religious, and linguistic differences as well as individual health beliefs, and preferences I now realize that it is important to tailor my approach to meet each patient’s needs more accurately. This knowledge will be useful to me in the workplace because it will guide me to improve patient satisfaction, overcome language barriers by improving clarity, make patients feel more valued and respected, and for my personal growth and knowledge.

Culturally Responsive Clinical Practice: Working with People from Migrant and Refugee Backgrounds. (2019). https://moodleprod.murdoch.edu.au/pluginfile.php/4119639/mod_resource/content/3/Culturally-responsive-clinical-practice-Working-with-people-from-migrant-and-refugee-backgrounds-Jan2019.pdf