Get to Know Mon Culture As You Travel Burma
As visitors can't fail to discover as they travel, Burma is a richly diverse nation with 135 official ethnic groups. While the Bamar persons form the majority now, couple of other groups share the historical significance of the Mon. For the traveller wishing to appreciate Burma's culture as finest they can, being aware of something of the Mon is essential. Study on for an introduction to their history and culture.
Introducing the Mon
The Mon are one of the oldest peoples of Southeast Asia and played an instrumental role in the history of the region. It was Mon who were reached by Theravada Buddhist missionaries from Sri Lanka and subsequently the Mon who had been instrumental in helping the religion to travel Burma and Thailand are nevertheless Theravada Buddhist nations at this time. Much of Mon culture has been assimilated into Burmese culture in the intervening centuries, and certain aspects of Burmese tradition at this time (such as written language, spirit belief and dances) have identifiable Mon roots.
Dress
Amongst the people you meet when you travel, Burma's a lot of ethnic minorities will most likely be represented to some degree, but subtle differences in their dress often elude the visitor. If you were to pass by way of Mon State, you could meet villagers in classic garb, despite the fact that quite a few additional would be wearing contemporary clothes. On the other hand, those lucky sufficient to find a Mon cultural event in a single of the cities could properly be treated to the complete outfit. Standard Mon dress consists of an eingyi or shirt and a wrap-around cylindrical longyi. Worn on the bottom half of the body, this is a shared custom with most other Burmese groups, but the Mon longyi is created distinctive by red chequers and a horizontal stripe across the middle. Males wear a jacket recognized as tiek-pon, and women wear a shawl.
Music and dance
Mon efficiency arts have enjoyed a lengthy background of social - and even more not too long ago, somewhat political - significance, closely tied to the culture's spirit beliefs. Conventional dances incorporate the religious kalok dance, which is part of an all-day ceremony focusing on an ancestral spirit, and the stylised 'golden bird' dance performed in honour of the mythological Hintha bird, symbol of the Mon folks. Musical accompaniment is provided by Mon instruments, including drum sets, crocodile xylophones, flutes, gongs, and flat guitars. These days, preservation of Mon music and dance is seen by some as a way of preserving identity and cultural autonomy. Everyone who gets a opportunity to see an authentic Mon performance as they travel Burma will need to not pass up the likelihood!
