Multicultural Blog by Zoe Grace

Myanmar's traditonal music

zoeowens0109 — 2024-08-28 13:06:19 UTC

Hsaing Waing has been a part of Myanmar's culture for centuries originating from the Chinese records of Pyu musical performances in AD800 (KengKaew, C., 2015). Hsaing Waing is an important part of the Burmese culture. The Hsaing Waings latter consists of between 16-21 drums that are hung from a gold decorated wooden frame (Linden-Museum Struttgart, 2020). When played traditional Burmese attire is worn and traditional instruments are played. Hsaing Waing holds such significance to Myanmar that it is taught across the country in art and culture schools (KengKaew, C., 2015).

References:

Kengkaew, C. (2015). Traditional Burmese Musical Instruments and Their Roles in Hsaing Waing. The International Journal of Critical Cultural Studies, 13(4), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.18848/2327-0055/CGP/v13i04/43685

Linden-Museum Stuttgart. (n.d.). Musical instrument. Sammlung Digital. Retrieved August 26, 2024, from https://sammlung-digital.lindenmuseum.de/en/object/musical-instrument_2162

Myanmar's traditional meal

zoeowens0109 — 2024-08-28 13:06:22 UTC

Mohinga is considered to be one of Myanmar national dishes and prize possession. Mohinga is a fish soup that contains rice noodles and is typically found throughout the country's south where it is traditionally prepared at breakfast time (Tasting Table, 2018). There are many variations around the country but the base ingredients for the fish broth consists of turmeric, lemongrass, ginger and garlic, complementing the fish, vegetables and boiled egg. The dish is sold on the streets by 'street Hawkers'. The salesperson would carry a a soup cauldron on one side and rice vermicelli on a large stick. (Butterfield and Robinson, 2024)

References:

Butterfield & Robinson. (2024). Mohinga: Myanmar’s national dish. Butterfield & Robinson. Retrieved August 25, 2024, from https://www.butterfield.com/get-inspired/mohinga-myanmars-national-dish

Tasting Table. (2018). Burmese breakfast stew recipe. Tasting Table. Retrieved August 25, 2024, from https://www.tastingtable.com/686384/burmese-breakfast-stew-recipe/

Common health issues Burmese refugees face

zoeowens0109 — 2024-08-28 13:06:25 UTC

Because of the lack of fundings and education in Myanmar, generations of families have relied on herbal remedies for the treatment of various diseases (Pharmaceutical Biology, 2016). In 2018 a new single-dose drug called Tafenoquine for malaria relapse in 60 years was approved by Australian TGA (MMV, 2024) . Statistics show that only 24m dollars (USD) in funding was received out of the required 130m (USD) in Myanmar (Health Cluster, 2024). With the years of scarce availability of medical supplies across the country, malaria is still the leading cause of morbidity and mortality, and it is affecting two-thirds of the (Pharmaceutical Biology, 2016).

References:

Shen, T., Liu, Y., & Shang, J. (2016). Traditional Chinese medicine: Are polyphenols and saponins the key ingredients triggering biological activities? Pharmaceutical Biology, 55(1), 418–424. https://doi.org/10.3109/13880209.2016.1175141

Myanmar Health Cluster. (2024). Myanmar Health Cluster bulletin: Quarter 2. Retrieved August 28, 2024, from https://healthcluster.who.int/

Medicines for Malaria Venture. (2024). Malaria: Symptoms and treatment options. Retrieved August 28, 2024, from https://www.mmv.org/malaria-symptoms-and-treatment-options-nd?gclid=CjwKCAjw8rW2BhAgEiwAoRO5rGrXIMzuu5CITuKGR4yQ0jtTBX0xulkHrnCiWEg-Q2lfJy8iUufcxBoCtE0QAvD_BwE

Myanmar's traditional medicine

zoeowens0109 — 2024-08-28 13:06:28 UTC

Herbal medicine methods are used to treat some of the more predominant health issues in Myanmar, affecting systems such as digestive respiratory and urological (Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2021). Locals use their native plants for their healing properties, using them orally and/ or by the method of decoction which is the process of using a concentrated liquor of the substance by boiling the plant in water.

(Conventional vs modern extraction techniques in the food industry, 2024)

Tinospora sinensis (Lour.) Merr, the introduced species Chromolaena odorata (L.) R. M. King & H. Rob., Mimosa pudica L., Tadehagi triquetrum (L.) H. Ohashi, and Alysicarpus vaginalis (L.) DC. (Pharmaceutical Biology, 2016). These plantd are used in treating cuts, wounds, cough, diabetes, gall stone and dysuria. (Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2021).

References:

Kyaw, Y. M. M., Bi, Y., Oo, T. N., & Yang, X. (2021). Traditional medicinal plants used by the Mon people in Myanmar. Journal of Ethnopharmacology,265, 113253.

Bhutan Biodiversity Portal. (n.d.). Lichen (Usnea longissima Ach.). Bhutan Biodiversity Portal. Retrieved August 26, 2024, from https://biodiversity.bt/observation/show/66942

Mathews, A., Arbal, A. V., Kaarunya, A., Jha, P. K., Le-Bail, A., & Rawson, A. (2024). Conventional vs modern extraction techniques in the food industry. In Extraction processes in the food industry (pp. 97-146). Woodhead Publishing.

Domain 1: Clinical expert 'Culturally responsive clinical practice

zoeowens0109 — 2024-08-28 13:06:32 UTC

After focusing on domain 1, I found that competency standard 1.1 related with what I have learnt about the people of Myanmar thus far. Aspects of this standard such as considering all individuals religious, linguistic, cultural, health and spiritual beliefs as well as individual abilities (Migrant & Refugee Womens Health Partnership, 2019). Having learnt this standard and the importance it holds in providing essential healthcare, I feel as though now I am more culturally aware and when providing care to patients, I can factor in these essential considerations and give my future patients fair and equal healthcare.

References:

Cultural Diversity in Health and Care. (2019). Culturally responsive clinical practice: Working with people from migrant and refugee backgrounds. Retrieved August 27, 2024, from https://culturaldiversityhealth.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Culturally-responsive-clinical-practice-Working-with-people-from-migrant-and-refugee-backgrounds-Jan2019.pdf

WHO social determinants "social inclusion and non discrimination"

zoeowens0109 — 2024-08-28 13:06:37 UTC

Most refugees (4000-6000) and asylum seekers (11,000-20,000) who come to Australia migrate to Victoria each year (Victorian Department of Health, 2024). These Migrants who come to Australia have no income or lack of education and require assistance, so the Australian Government have implemented Medicare funded initial health checks that are provided to all refugees who have been in Australia for less than 12 months (AJGP, 2018). There are inclusion programs that aid in the transition of migrating to Australia such as settlement services, supported transitional accommodation, CALD counselling and many more that support education and training (Multi-Cultural-Futures, 2024).

References:

Victoria State Government. (n.d.). Refugee and asylum seeker health and wellbeing. Department of Health. Retrieved August 27, 2024, from https://www.health.vic.gov.au/populations/refugee-and-asylum-seeker-health-and-wellbeing

Victorian Refugee Health Network. (n.d.). Home. Retrieved August 27, 2024, from https://refugeehealthnetwork.org.au/

Zwi, A. B., & Ugalde, A. (2018). Health issues of refugees. Australian Journal of General Practice, 47(5), 293-297. https://www1.racgp.org.au/ajgp/2018/may/health-issues-of-refugees

Myanmar's Religion

zoeowens0109 — 2024-08-28 13:06:40 UTC

Myanmar (Burmese) people make up 135 national races descending from the Buddhas Sākiya Clan (Niklas Foxeus, 2019). Buddhism is one of the world's largest religions that involves the belief of reincarnation of the soul. (National Geographic Society, 2024). Although Myanmar consists of many races. In Myanmar, the growing issue of Buddhist nationalism results from the history of colonization and military dictatorship (Lund University, 2014). This issue results in Muslims to be seen as outsiders to the nation and are referred to being a different religion and race (Niklas Foxeus (2019).

References:

Foxeus, N. (2019). The Buddha was a devoted nationalist: Buddhist nationalism, ressentiment, and defending Buddhism in Myanmar. Religion (London. 1971), 49(4), 661–690. https://doi.org/10.1080/0048721X.2019.1610810

National Geographic Society. (n.d.). Buddhism. National Geographic Education. Retrieved August 28, 2024, from https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/buddhism/

Abdullah, N. N. (2014). The relationship between cultural identity and English as an international language (EIL) among EIL students in a selected Malaysian university (Master's thesis, Lund University). Lund University Publications. Retrieved August 28, 2024, from https://lup.lub.lu.se/luur/download?func=downloadFile&recordOId=4778729&fileOId=4778731