((Quang Ngai Newspaper)- Myanmar has many unique cultural features that attract tourists from all over the world , including the art of makeup using Thanakha powder.
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| Mother and daughter went to the temple with magnolia flowers and their faces made up with Thanakha powder. |
Myanmar is located in Southeast Asia, with more than 90% of the population following Buddhism. In any city, town, or village in this country, there is at least one Buddhist temple and monastery. Myanmar is a multi-ethnic country with more than 100 different ethnic groups, of which the Bamar people are the majority. Although the ethnic groups live in many different states, with different customs and practices, they share a common makeup practice, which is the use of Thanakha trees to beautify, protect the body and create a unique appearance and color. Myanmar people spend a lot of time going to pagodas. When going to pagodas, men and women wear traditional longyi dresses and their faces are "made up" with Thanakha powder.
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| Myanmar has many temple and pagoda architecture. |
Not only does Myanmar have a rich cultural heritage related to Buddhism, but it also has many "unique" things such as the long-necked people, the face tattooed people and the tradition of makeup with Thanakha powder. According to ancient documents, the custom of makeup in Myanmar began more than 2,000 years ago. It is evidenced by song lyrics, poems, ancient verses and relics of the ancients related to this unique makeup custom. Many artifacts that were used by the ancients for makeup purposes can be found, typically the Thanakha whetstone of Princess Datukalayar, daughter of King Bayinnaung (15th century). This artifact is considered a treasure, currently preserved and displayed at the Shwe Maw Daw Pagoda Museum in Bago city. This is vivid evidence of the tradition of Thanakha makeup for many centuries, both in the royal court and in the folk life of Myanmar. To this day, Myanmar women love Thanakha, a unique traditional makeup art. This cream is also often used on newborn babies to protect their delicate skin.
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| Thanakha and grinding boards are sold in Myanmar. |
This is not just a simple makeup art but also the quintessence of the heritage of the land of "golden temples, white towers". To get Thanakha powder, people grind the bark on a smooth, flat stone plate and add a few drops of water before grinding. After grinding, you can use your hands to dip the paste and apply it to the body. Thanakha powder is also made into a cream packaged in plastic boxes with eye-catching labels for easy makeup. Thanakha can be applied not only on the face but also on the body, arms and legs. With hot weather all year round, Myanmar people use Thanakha powder as a sunscreen. Thanakha paste tightens pores, controls oil and prevents wrinkles caused by sunburn. That is why women apply thick layers of Thanakha on their faces when working in the fields.
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| Children are made up with Thanakha powder. |
Thanakha is a native tree that represents the “national spirit” of Myanmar. The impressive images of this country for tourists can be found everywhere, from the countryside to the city, which are the traditional longyi skirt, red lips with betel leaves and especially the face smeared with Thanakha, creating a familiar and unique appearance of the people.
Article and photos: TAN VINH
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