Nyaungshwe Cultural Museum and Shan Saophas’ costumes

Maung Tha (Archaeology Research)

            As per the saying “Nine Saophas and nine reigns of Shan” the ethnic Shan nationals in Myanmar established nine Mao Kingdoms. They were Mogaung, Mohnyin, Thaungthut, Mongmit, Mongnai, Hsenwi, Mongpe, Nyaungshwe and Hsipaw.

            According to “History of the Shan State – From its origins to 1962” by Sai Aung Tun the years from 1287 to 1531 are recognized as the period of Shan kings in Upper Myanmar. This period witnessed the successful establishment of the three historically famous cities of Pinya, Sagaing and Inwa (Ava) by the Shan kings. As the successive Shan kings ruled in these cities, they let their sons and brothers rule their regions of origin in Shan as Saophas which was eventually called Sawbwas in Myanmar language. Shan Saophas uses royal objects like white umbrellas, headdresses and foot wears used by the Myanmar kings.

            Shan Saophas lived in Haw (palace) and after they faded from history, their Haw and royal objects remains as cultural heritages. Nyaungshwe museum is one of the many museums in Shan State that had maintained and displayed these cultural heritages.

Nyaungshwe and Saopha Haw

            Nyaungshwe in Shan State, Taunggyi District is 602 km. from Yangon and 30 km. from Taunggyi and was a town visited by visitors who came to Inle Lake. On the east of the town are Taunggyi and Hsihseng while to the west lies Kalaw and Pinlaung. It is connected to Pekhon Township to the north and to Taunggyi Township to the south.

            Nyaungshwe with an area of 561 square miles is at an elevation of 2,950 ft. Nyaungshwe Township was formed with 8 wards and 35 village tracts with 445 villages. According to 2017 Census the township had a total population of 171,459 of which 69 percent were Intha while Pa-O made up 13.5 percent.

            Nyaungshwe was established by Saopha Si Sai Pha in 1359. In Shan language it was called Yawnghwe meaning a plateau between two mountains.

            Nyaungshwe had Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, Alodawpauk Pagoda and Shwe Intane Pagoda in Inle Lake and Yadana Mann Aung Pagoda in Nyaungshwe town as well as 1,013 pagodas and stupas. A cultural museum (Nyaung Shwe Haw) situated in Nandawin is also a historical building in Nyaungshwe.

            The present Nyaungshwe Haw was built by a Shan Saopha Sir Saw Maung in 1913. The construction took 10 years and cost some 300,000 Kyats (a couple of billion Kyats in today’s money). Maukmai Saopha Sao Kham Hlaing drew the design of the Haw combining the Mandalay Palace design and traditional Haw of Shan Saophas. The construction was led by carpenter U Ngo @ U Htun Aung and Shan artisans.

            After the first Nyaungshwe Haw was destroyed in Nyaungshwe town fire of 1908 the present Haw was built with 206 pillars. It was a rectangular structure measuring 200 ft. from east to west and 194 ft. from north to south and faces toward the east. The two-story Haw with seven tier roof contains three main halls. The hall to pay homage to the Saophas was where the Saophas received his subjects paying homage to him twice a year and it had a throne. When the Buddha images from Inle Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda were in town, the images were placed on this throne where the people came to worship it.

            The outer hall is where the Saopha and his ministers discussed matters relating to the people. The inner hall is where the Saopha, his family, trusted ministers and aides discussed family, royal and religious matters. Soaphas of Shan State conducted preliminary discussion for Panglong Agreement matters on 8 February 1947 in this inner hall.

            In addition to these three halls, Nyaungshwe Haw had a building (South Dawei Building) on the south for Saopha’s mother and mahadevi (Saopha’s wife), a building (North Dawei Building) for the Saopha and sons.

            There’s a 10 ft. square rectangular room with iron bars in the middle of the ground floor of the Haw that was considered as a safe room. It was used as Japanese military police Kempeitai office room during the Japanese occupation in Second World War.

National Museum and Saopha costumes

            There were more than 55,000 museums all over the world and National Museums are where a country’s cultural and historical heritages were displayed. Myanmar had two national level museums in Yangon and Nay Pyi Taw.

            These national museums occasionally conducted paper reading sessions and special exhibitions that raise interest as well as drawing visitors. An exhibition at Yangon National Museum from 9 to 18 June this year of Shan Saophas’ rare costumes was one such exhibition. 30 out of 138 Shan Saophas’ costumes stored in Nyaungshwe Cultural Museum were put on display at that exhibition.

Saopha costumes from Nyaungshwe Haw

            On August 2016 Shan State government under the guidance of the Union Minister for Hotels and Tourism proposed to Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture to send 138 costumes of Shan Saophas stored in Nyaungshwe Cultural Museum to France for maintenance and restoration so that it can be displayed properly and for long.

            After inspection by Yangon National Museum a decision was made to conduct the majority of the maintenance and restoration works in Myanmar.

            A preliminary visit to Nyaungshwe Cultural Museum was conducted in September 2016. On 18 January 2018 Yangon National Museum Director Daw Nang Laung Ngin and party obtained the guidelines and instructions of the local Sayadaws about the maintenance and restoration work. Afterwards they also met and explained to the Haw maintenance group and locals about the maintenance and restoration work processes. Some costumes were then sent to Yangon National Museum laboratory on 2 March 2018 for maintenance and restoration works.

            After the maintenance and restoration works were completed the costumes were sent back to Nyaungshwe Cultural Museum. The remaining costumes were then sent to Yangon National Museum as second batch and maintenance and restoration works were conducted.

            Of the costumes sent back to Nyaungshwe Cultural Museum, all could not be put on display due to limitation of display space. Textile Stores were constructed to systematically store the costumes that were not displayed and arrangements were made to put the costumes on display alternatively.

            After the second batch of costumes were maintained and restored some were sent back to Nyaungshwe Cultural Museum. From this second batch, 30 costumes were exhibited to the public in Yangon National Museum.

Exhibition of rare costumes

            The rare costumes exhibited were not only of the Shan Saophas but also of their Mahadevis, Crown Prince, chief ministers, mayors, military commanders and bodyguards. Not only dresses but headdresses, shoes, belts and trousers were also exhibited.

At the opening ceremony of the exhibition sponsored by the Department of Archaeology, National Museum and Library (DANML) of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture, Union Minister for Ethnic Affairs Nai Thet Lwin said, “Costumes worn by and items used by Shan chieftains of various regions throughout the past successive periods can be viewed by the public, especially the youth and middle-aged people at the exhibition.

The civilization of a race can be studied through their costumes, style of dress, literature and culture. This kind of exhibition will enhance the spirit of an ethnic race to cherish its culture and traditions. Holding of this exhibition at a museum, at a place where Shan people are the majority will attract more tourists.”

Also speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister of Yangon Region U Phyo Min Thein said, “The exhibition enhances the image of the Myanmar races.” He suggested the conservation and display of the cultures and traditions of other ethnic races too. As all the national races are living in amity in the Union, they all should join hands for its perpetuation, he said, and added that all the citizens of the country have the duty to preserve and protect the ethnic cultures and traditions. “At this exhibition, Shan traditions costumes preserved for over 100 years are put on display, and it is a noble tasks,” he said.

Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture U Kyi Min said, “The attires were sent to France for keeping them under advanced preservation techniques for today’s people to study them. The Department of Archaeology, National Museum and Library has been checking and preserving the attires of Shan chieftains displayed at the Nyaungshwe Culture Museum since Shan State Government requested help from the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture in 2016. So the ministry and the state government allotted the budget for the work.”

Director-General of DANML U Kyaw Oo Lwin explained the purpose of the exhibition and Director Daw Nang Laung Ngin the preservation work.

The exhibition reportedly drew thousands of visitors both locals and foreigners and was said to be the best-attended the National Museum has put on.

Maintenance of the costumes

            Maintaining of cultural relics consists of many ways including maintaining it as it was produced, providing remedial services to restore it and prevention from damages. Due to the historical, artistic, cultural, social, religious and personal values the costumes from Nyaungshwe Cultural Museum were being maintained and preserved. In late 19^th century preservation techniques of clothes develop. Restorers, artefact collectors and dealers started maintaining and restoring clothes to original splendours. These techniques were being used to maintain and restore the invaluable costumes from Nyaungshwe Cultural Museum.

            These costumes are now put on display in Nyaungshwe Cultural Museum. – Translated by Handytips

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Union Minister Nai Thet Lwin and officials observe the rare attires of Shan chieftains

at National Museum in Yangon yesterday.

PHOTO : MNA

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Shan Saophas’ rare traditional costumes

displayed at the exhibition.—Photo:Myanmar Digital News

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Shan Saophas’ rare traditional costumes

displayed at the exhibition.—Photo: Myanmar Digital News

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Nyaungshwe cultural museum (Nyaungshwe Haw) in Nyaungshwe. Myanmar Digital News

ညောင်ရွှေယဉ်ကျေးမှုပြတိုက်နှင့် ရှမ်းစော်ဘွားဝတ်စုံများ. Myanmar Digital News

  Myanmar Deepens Connectivity with Global Leaders at Meridian Diplomacy Forum

Myanmar’s “Quantum Leap” captures the eye of global leaders in U.S.

Myanmar and its “quantum leap” from a cash-based economy to a mobile-first economy took centre stage in discussions at the recent prestigious Meridian Diplomacy Forum in Washington D.C., USA. With public officials from various departments in the United States (U.S.) government in attendance, the forum signified continuous momentum and interest in the cultural, political and economic connections between the U.S. and the five Mekong countries of Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

The forum also convened global business leaders, academics, and experts, discussing the vast opportunities in Myanmar, including its repositioning globally as a digital and mobile-first economy, and what is needed to attract foreign investment and drive diplomacy with policymakers across the globe.

Speaking at the event to share Myanmar’s story of accelerated socioeconomic development, was Myanmar investment envoy from KBZ Bank Ms. Erin Murphy, who later shared, “Myanmar’s growing mobile network and developing financial sector has not only rapidly bridged urban and rural communities across Myanmar, but also established critical connectivity with its Mekong neighbours. This is strengthening the appeal of Myanmar’s sectors to foreign investment and positioning the country for continuous engagement with the United States and leading governments across the world.”

Along with Ms. Erin Murphy, embassies and ambassadors in Washington supported the event as speakers and provided insight into the culture, history, and investment opportunities in the Mekong region. Managing Director of Myanmar Shalom, Sammy Samuels, spoke on a panel discussing the positive impact that in-bound tourism in Myanmar is bringing both economically and socially to the country. Senator Jim Webb spoke favourably of his experience working and engaging in Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam, reiterating the importance of the Mekong countries to the United States.

KBZ Bank was a co-sponsor of the event, representing Myanmar’s advancing financial sector and standing as a proud example of the country’s leading institutions driving transformation and accelerating mobile-first development that benefits millions of people.

Ms. Erin Murphy added, “KBZ Bank’s vision of 100% financial inclusion in Myanmar goes beyond inclusivity and aspires for true financial connectedness. Achieving this requires the right mindsets, regulatory framework, and social development, including digital and financial literacy. With the increased collaboration between public and private institutions to address these, Myanmar can make a quantum leap and become a true model for development in the region.”—GNLM

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Image 1: Erin Murphy (KBZ Bank Myanmar Investment Envoy) and Boosara Kanchanalai (Chargé d’Affaires, Royal Thai Embassy), speaking on a panel titled “Countries of the Mekong: Exploring the Cultural, Political, and Economic Linkages Between the U.S. and Mainland Southeast Asia” at the Meridian Diplomacy Forum.

Image 2: Dr. Prashanth Parameswaran (Senior Editor, The Diplomat), Erin Murphy (KBZ Bank Myanmar Investment Envoy), Boosara Kanchanalai (Chargé d’Affaires, Royal Thai Embassy), Verinda Fike (Regional Director for South & Southeast Asia, USTDA), and Scott Kicker (CEO, Gen X Energy), speaking on a panel titled “Countries of the Mekong: Exploring the Cultural, Political, and Economic Linkages Between the U.S. and Mainland Southeast Asia” at the Meridian Diplomacy Forum.

Image 3: His Excellency U Aung Lynn (Ambassador, Embassy of Myanmar), delivering a speech at the Meridian Diplomacy Forum.

Image 4: His Excellency U Aung Lynn (Ambassador, Embassy of Myanmar), meeting with attendees of the Meridian Diplomacy Forum.

AMCHAM Myanmar Presents Recommendations to Government Officials on Improving Ease of Doing Business in Myanmar

 

AMCHAM Myanmar Presents Recommendations to Government Officials on Improving Ease of Doing Business in Myanmar

Yangon, Myanmar, 26 June 2019 – The American Chamber of Commerce in Myanmar (AMCHAM Myanmar) today hosted a forum under the theme of ‘Improving the Ease of Doing Business in Myanmar’. Held at the Melia Hotel Yangon, the forum provided a platform for AMCHAM’s leadership committee to engage in intimate discussions with senior Myanmar Government officials on ways to improve the ease of doing business in Myanmar, lower the cost of doing business and ultimately attract more U.S. investment.

The forum discussions were guided by a Policy Recommendation Paper developed by AMCHAM Myanmar which outlines specific recommendations on business opportunities and ways to tackle immediate challenges to enable businesses to thrive. A range of topics were discussed including taxation, employment, financial services, and trade across a number of sectors.

Among the attendees of the forum were H.E. U Soe Thein, Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Myanmar, H.E. Dr. Ye Myint Swe, Deputy Union Minister, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation, H.E U Aung Htoo, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Commerce and U Minn Minn, Director General, Ministry of Commerce.

H.E. Scot Marciel, U.S. Ambassador to Myanmar, delivered the opening remarks for the forum, sharing, “American businesses do business the way Myanmar people tell us they want business done. In terms of trade, investment and tourism, AMCHAM is a great partner, doing a lot not only to promote U.S. business but to improve the business environment in Myanmar.”

Discussions at the forum were focused on three key themes which AMCHAM Myanmar identified as areas for improvement to encourage greater investment in the country.

Optimization of Processes

AMCHAM Myanmar suggested ways to streamline procedures and implement clear standard operating procedures (SOPs) to make day-to-day transactions easier and more efficient. Specific recommendations that were discussed included establishing a one-stop Visa Center to process business and work visas for foreigners working at local companies and streamlining the required documentation for commercial tax.

AMCHAM Myanmar also proposed for SOPs to be publicly available with clear guidelines and timelines, and that SOPs are cross-referenced between related ministries to avoid duplication and roadblocks.

Said H.E. Dr. Ye Myint Swe, Deputy Union Minister, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation on improving government SOPs – “We are working towards improving our SOPs and to establish a better understanding between the central and local governments. We aim to establish stronger relationships with local authorities and to consult them for recommendations on implementing SOPs.”

Regulatory Clarity and Consistency

AMCHAM Myanmar recommended ways to improve drafting, dissemination and implementation of laws. For example, AMCHAM Myanmar suggested that the interpretation of labor laws be clarified and standardized across all township offices to ensure consistent implementation.

In addition, AMCHAM Myanmar proposed for an institutionalized process to develop new legislation which includes a reasonable period for broad public consultation, and which takes into account feedback from the private sector and the foreign investment community.

Shared H.E U Aung Htoo, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Commerce, on working closely with the business community to share information and address feedback – “We appreciate the efforts of AMCHAM Myanmar to share their recommendations and we plan to engage more regularly with members of the foreign business community moving forward.”

H.E. U Soe Thein, Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Myanmar on improving transparency in policy development for the finance industry – “Over recent years, we have published many documents, directives and regulatory updates on our website for companies to access. We will soon publish additional market data such as statistical indicators of GDP and inflation rate, along with our latest monetary policy and sustainability report. During the process of drafting regulations, we typically distribute our first draft of the policy to stakeholders such as banks, auditor generals and law firms to request for their recommendations. We take their feedback into account when finalizing the regulation and provide detailed responses to address questions received.”

“We are looking at introducing best practices of neighboring countries to support our reform agenda. Recently, we launched an online system to facilitate easier and paperless applications of trade licenses. We conducted a successful pilot project of the online system with more than 100 garment factories located in different industrial zones and now, these companies do not have to visit our office to submit a license application,” said U Minn Minn, Director General, Ministry of Commerce.

Getting Sufficient and Reliable Electricity:

While power generation projects have accelerated recently, AMCHAM Myanmar highlighted power supply as a key focus area to meet the growing demand and as a vital requirement to sustain business operations.

“We are encouraged by the positive economic reforms implemented in Myanmar in recent years and today’s forum allowed us to share not only our understanding about the needs of businesses on the ground but objective reforms and procedural changes which will improve the business environment. Beyond this forum, AMCHAM Myanmar would like to support the Myanmar Government with their existing plans to improve the ease of doing business. We believe our contributions will help to strengthen investor confidence from the U.S. and other markets. I wish to thank the AMCHAM Myanmar team for supporting the development of the Policy

Recommendation Paper and to the government officials for engaging in dialogue with us,” said U Khin Maung Win, President, AMCHAM Myanmar.

Following today’s forum, AMCHAM Myanmar will publish the full Policy Recommendation Paper in the coming weeks and engage with the relevant government ministries and departments about possible implementation of the recommendations.--AMCHAM Myanmar