< Many Faces of SouthEast Asia> -- Myanmar

The nation of Myanmar had gained its independence in 1948. Before that it was known as the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.

The Country's rich fertile lands are served by the Irrawaddy River, covering up to area 47,000sqkm, half of the entire country are covered by forest and produces a huge variety of plants and tropical fruits such as bananas, citrus, mangoes and guava. They are also the world's largest exporter of teak, jade, pearls, rubies and sapphires.

The country's capital city was previously located in Yangon, however the capital was shifted to Nay Pyi Taw on June, 2008.

There is this special and unique tree that produces tiny fragrant yellow-gold flowers, which fully blossoms in April annually, yet this coincides with the country new year festival. When the flowers are in full-bloom, the entire tree appears golden. The tree name - Padauk , stands for strength and durability while it flowers signify youth, love and romance, and they are considered as the nation national flower.

Different ethnicities gathered together to trade in Myanmar as early as 11,000 years ago. The traders and early settlers brought goods from all over Southeast Asia and southern China, taking advantage of Myanmar's strategic location as a gateway to China, through Yunnan.

The first civilization was founded by the Mons from southwest coastal areas and the Mekong river valley, where they started settling in the south before moving to the north central Irrawaddy river valley, which began around 3000B.C. The Mons created the first kingdom called Suwarnabhumi with a nearby port called Thaton.

The Pyus arrived in Myanmar around the seventh century A.D. and established cities at Binnaka, Mongamo, Sri Ksetra and Halingyi. It was a flourishing period of trading from China to India. By 849 B.C, the Burman empire had gained power in the city of Bagan( Pagan. Anawrahta's reign (1044-1077) successfully unified all of Myanmar by defeating the Mons in 1057.

The Burmans re-established themselves in Ava in 1364. However due to lacked of defences at their borders, they were overtaken by the Shan in 1527. 

During the first Anglo-Burmese War (1824-1826), they lost Assam, Manipur, Arakan and Tenasserim to the British. In the second Anglo-Burmese war in 1852, the province of  Bago was incorporated and renamed as Lower Burma. Eventually the whole country was taken over in the third Anglo-Burmese War.

Burma was made a province of the British Empire in India in 1886. It was then separated as a Crown Colony in 1937, and was given partial self-government , however the move failed to satisfy nationalists seeking full independence.

The Anglo-Burmese war resulted in a change in leadership in Myanmar, which replaced its king Pagin Min to King Mindon Min.

King Mindon modernised the regions and founded a new capital city at Mandalay.

Students, hoever impatient with the pace of progress towards independence, had established  a new group called "Thakin" In 1930s, Burmese hero Aung San belonged to this group.

The British attempted to arrest him however he managed to escape to China, later sheltered by the Japanese. He had created the modern Burmese Military on Dec26,1942 in Bangkok, together with other 30 comrades, he became an independence fighter, nicknamed as "Bogyoke" - General.

The Mons are among the earliest migrants who had come into contact with Buddhism through sea routes.
 The writing system was also derived from  an early Indic Script which served the commonality with Thailand, Laos and Cambodia.

The country's national costume consists of two pieces: the Longyi (Sarong), which is made of cotton, and the eingyi (Blouse/Shirt). Gaung-Baung(Turbans) completes the traditional attire.

A notable trait of the Myanmar people is captured by the term ah nar hmu, which comes from a sense of compassion or fellowship.

The early people are called Pyus, and the country has 135 ethnic groups and these include the Barmar, Chin, Hmongs, Kayin, Kayah, Mons, Rakhine and the Shans. Most mainly live in the mountainous and hilly areas or near the borders.

Pagodas in Myanmar are multi-tiered and constructed for religious purposes- specifically for Theravada Buddhism. The pagodas are typically decorated in white paint or gold gildings . The country has so many pagodas that is fondly known as the  "Land of Pagodas."

References:
 Asiapac Culture (2010). Many faces of Southeast Asia. Singapore: Asiapac Books Pte Ltd.