THE service of applying traditional Myanmar Thanaka for domestic and international travellers visiting the pagodas and temples in the Bagan Cultural Zone is a source of income for the locals of Bagan, and the travellers also enjoy applying Myanmar Thanaka, according to the locals.

“The travellers like wearing Thanaka in different shapes like bayan leaf, leaves and heart shape. The women wear their hair in braids. Both the local and foreign travellers like them. They like hand-painting and wearing Thanaka. Such services highlight Myanmar tradition, and we also get income,” said a local.

The use of Myanmar’s Thanaka can be seen in the murals in the Apelyadana and Culamani pagodas. The service of applying Thanaka is preserving Myanmar culture, and all are happy with it, said the locals.

“Myanmar people use Thanaka at their homes. However, the smell of Thanaka applied in Bagan and the feeling are power of Bagan. Foreign travellers can get a feeling of Myanmar culture regarding the Thanaka. Seeing the travellers wearing Thanaka happily in Bagan is a pride for Myanmar traditional Thanaka,” said U Myo Myint Aung, assistant director of the Directorate of Hotels and Tourism (Bagan).

The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture will conduct education campaigns regarding Myanmar Thanaka culture to submit Myanmar Thanaka to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity before March 2025.

Thitsa (MNA)/KTZH

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