Traditional Costumes Of Myanmar
The traditional costumes of Myanmar show a lot of cultural and personal traits of this country, which are unique, different, and sets a very strong impression in the hearts of the tourists visiting Myanmar.
Each country, each nation owns a traditional outfit that expresses its own culture, habits, and lifestyle. While the traditional clothing of Vietnam is Ao Dai (long dress), of Thailand, is Phasin, of The Philippines, is Baro'tSaya…., the traditional clothing of Myanmar is Longyi- taipon. The traditional costumes of Myanmar show a lot of cultural and personal traits of this country, which are unique, different, and sets a very strong impression in the hearts of the tourists visiting Myanmar.
Myanmar's traditional costumes for women
Burmese women in a traditional costume of Myanmar in the local market
Traditional costumes of Myanmar consist of two parts: Longyi (the bottom) and taipon (the top). For Burmese males and females, there is a twist in how this traditional set is worn. Burmese women’s traditional longyi is called thummy. But unlike men's side, thummy has the right side up and marked by a band in the waist area. The bottom of thummy is tighter, which makes women move small but look more elegantly. The pattern of thummy is varied in design but bright in color with flower details, widely worn for women, especially at weddings. For both Burmese women and men, they are usually free in mixing longyi with any taipon (top) that they want. Footwear can be flip-flops or shoes depending on the occasion.
Myanmar's traditional costumes for men
A Burmese man working in the lake
The longyi for men are different in size, suitable for any shape of the body. There is one interesting thing is that men's dress was strapless and tied with a simple knot; therefore, they often have to adjust the skirt when they move frequently. Longyi has no pockets, so if they want to carry cash, mobile phone, or other personal items, they have to put it outside and around the skirt. Generally, men will wear dark-colored checkerboard longyi. They just change the style by changing the materials, textures, and colors of longyi. And it is associated with all kinds of clothes, from T-shirts, shirts, jackets, to vests.
Occasions when the Burmese wear traditional clothes
People from other countries, only wear traditional clothes on special occasions and events of national festivals. However, Myanmar traditional costumes are worn every day in daily life because they are a kind of comfortable and brisk clothes, and very suitable for the hot weather of this country. The manipulation of wearing traditional costumes of Myanmar people is very simple; therefore, they are easy to take in and take off those clothes when needed in everyday life. And the more interesting thing is that when necessary, these traditional costumes can be pulled up and become the “raincoat”, the sun shirt, or maybe enrolled to make a stable substrate for Burmese women to carry commodities (fruits, rice bags, foods).
It is discernible that Myanmar people are not euphuistic in the way of dressing as well as that of lifestyle. Myanmar or Burmese women rarely do makeup even on special occasions. Therefore, when tourists come to Myanmar, they will certainly have the feeling that this is a simple, closed nation and the people are very sincere, and friendly. Going to Myanmar, trying to wear their traditional costume, and talking to the people, I am sure that you will love them as much as we do.
